Link between Krobo beads and slavery
As you know, for centuries European traders established a triangular trade that consisted of exchanging black slaves abducted from their lands for many goods, including glass.
From the 15th century onwards, the glass bead trade flourished in Italy, and Venice became the world capital of glass beads. More specifically, the city of Murano. Beads such as millefiori (thousand flowers), chevrons, rosetta, etc.…
Between 1500 and 1750, the production of these beads in Venice rose from 7% to 70%, fueled by the slave trade.
Modern beads made in West Africa trace their origins to this tragic history and the triangular trade, notably involving glass beads from Murano in Italy.
These ancient beads are referred to as antique beads.
Ghanaian artisans then began making their own glass beads, commonly known today as Krobo beads.
The city of Koforidua currently hosts one of the largest bead markets in the country and West Africa. It offers beads from all over Africa, notably the Krobo beads that I use to create Perles Rares Djonou jewelry.
These artisans also had a tradition of making beads from natural materials, but the meeting of these two worlds gave rise to the glass beads we know today.
