Krobo glass beads from Ghana
African craftsmanship is rich, but we do not always perceive its full scope; Krobo beads are a beautiful illustration of this.
Ghana is one of the largest bead-producing countries in Africa, and the Krobo artisans, who bear the same name as the region where they live, are its finest ambassadors, as they are renowned for their skill in crafting glass powder beads. Recycled glass beads have a centuries-old history.
More than just jewelry, these beads have cultural, religious, and social significance.
These beads are made from glass bottles.
All the jewelry at PerlesRaresDjonou is made from these beads.
The manufacturing process involves using various bottles, particularly soda, beer, or liquor bottles. They are first washed, then broken into small pieces, crushed, and ground into powder. Less commonly, the beads may be made from old broken glass beads or sometimes imported seed beads, which are generally made of glass tubes.
Families hold the ancestral techniques required to create these handcrafted beads, and the main town that hosts a weekly market to showcase these upcycled glass beads is Koforidua.
These beads are such a source of pride that a festival is held in Odumase Krobo to celebrate the identity of the Krobo people, which is largely expressed through these beads.
