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Casamance,
Senegal. Fatou is one of Krista's local bead suppliers, and dear friend. |
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We have acquired most of our beads from Africa and India.
Understanding the African and Indian history of beads, beginning with a working knowledge of their raw material
form, and history of bead-making and adornment through beads,
would be taking a glimpse of these cultures in their nativity. In spite of the shared location in the Eastern
Hemisphere, and many similarities in the history of beads in Africa and India, there are subtle but significant
differences. As with any culture, the history is tied to the history of the land and the people themselves.
The use of beads in each of these cultures is not only dependent upon the raw materials that are topographically
available, but is influenced by other environmental factors.
We are merely skimming the surface on this page. There is a vast amount
of literature on the history, use, quality, and quantity of African beads. It is difficult to discuss the
history of African beads because we are dealing with an entire continent composed of many histories,
lifestyles and an ever-changing landscape that continues to produce many raw materials. These materials have
become an integral part of bead-making. In particular, a large range of organic beads are utilized in Africa
due to their availability, such as bones, nuts, shells, seeds, tusks, and even teeth. In addition to these
raw materials, Africa has been historically noted as having been rich with gold. It is also a gateway to the
West, and so serves as a trading post for many more-easterly nations.
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