Beading And The Art Of Bead Work And Its Impact In Historic Africa

The ancient Egyptians used beads and charms starting around 2200 BC for decoration, beauty, fashion and vanity. Historic Egyptian jewelry beads were mostly crafted from clay, stone, ivory, bone, faience, glass, bronze, copper, silver and wood. These types of beads developed into an item utilized for trade by the Egyptians mostly with the countries of Kush and Nubia.

The use of beads as jewelry beads remained a custom in many different nations of Africa. Originally their beads were being made of wood, shells, clay, stone or grass seeds. Most of these beads were used for necklaces, bracelets or anklets. The beads were also used on blankets and other kinds of clothing. Near the fifteenth century, glass beads had been introduced by Europeans. Because the glass beads were actually in many different colors and shades, they were used in intricate bead work for the very wealthy in southern Africa. Kings in countries such as Ghana, Mali and Nigeria dressed in elegant garb so greatly beaded that attendants would assist them to move about in carrying out their duties.

Beadwork has also been used to define societal position between women. Certain designs worn by women would specify young girls from elder women in certain tribes. Bead work would indicate when girls were engaged and to be wed. Particular bead work also was applied to accentuate brides and those women who just had recently given birth to their first child.

In today's Africa, beads continue to be used and held in high regard. In East Africa beads are made from ostrich eggshells that are common around the Kalahari Desert. In West Africa beads are made of gold and these are known as soul money and they are used in various ceremonies of child naming, puberty rites in addition to funerals. One other popular substance for beads can be glass. Bottle glass is melted and recycled into a variety of colors and patterns. These types of beads are irregular and denote a sense of elegance to the individual wearing it.

In North Africa the Berber tribal women make large quantities of colorful beads. The beads function as a family possession. If the family income is poor then the beads are sold. The price of the bead is established on the weight. Bead materials contain amber, coral, amazonite, silver and glass. The various kinds of beads carry different connotations. Amber safeguards against illnesses while coral and silver are good luck charms.

All through Africa artists carry on the age old custom of making beautiful beads.

Bees Wax Candle Making: Have A Passion For Creating Very Own Candlesticks? Try Manufacturing Bees Wax Candle Lights
Have you ever wondered how bees wax candle making is done? Beeswax candles are made from all natural ingredients made by honeybees.

Making Chunk Candlesticks: Find Out A Bit More Regarding The Topic Of Creating Chunk Candles
Chunk candles add a great alternative to the standard pillar candle of yesterday. These colorful candles add a vibrancy and life to them. Looking at chunk candles, they appear to be very difficult to make. However, just the opposite is true.

Candle Making Supplies: Get More Information About Candlelight Making Materials
Candle Making is a fun hobby and enterprising business venture for others. There are basic supplies you need in order to make candles. All candles require three essentials - wax, wick, and a candle holder.

Candle Making At Home: Discover Exactly How You Can Manufacture Candle Lights From Your Home
Have you always longed to make your own candles for your home? Candle making at home is not so difficult to do, and you can get the basic concepts here:

Delicas Beads, Often Erroneously Referred To As Seed Beads, Are Cylindrically Shaped Glass Beads Made By World Renowned Miyuki.
Delicas are a specific bead made by world famous Miyuki, Japan's oldest seed bead manufacturer. They line up perfectly in loom and in off-loom stitches such as Brick or Peyote, and they are available in a vast of colors and finishes.

Just What Is Quilting And How Did It Develop Towards The Preferred Craft Of Today?
The craft of quilting has seen a recent resurgence of interest in the United States and other countries. It allows individuals to make beautiful items as well as groups of people to work together on a single project.