In ancient African graves, beads and beaded necklaces have been found buried with kings and chiefs. The Ashanti reasoned that powdered glass beads were worth their weight in gold and that certain beads held supernatural protective powers. The Yoruba people believed that buried beads would grow in the ground and multiply. The most popular trading items brought over by the Europeans in the 16th century were beads and thousands of pounds of beads were exchanged, mainly in Western Africa and Zaire. They were worn to indicate a person’s wealth and social ranking. At times they were given as a token of affection and to show love. Lastly of course they were used as a mode of beautification. The first beads were made out of natural materials such as bone, ivory, teeth, seeds, stone, wood and a variety of plant and insect resins. Trade beads have become more popular in the West during the last few decades when Africa began supplying beads in a diverse array of colors, materials, and shapes. The price is for one strand. No two strands are a like!

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Dimensions: 17 inch hang length. Each necklace as at least 60 beads.

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*Fixed shipping is for domestic orders only!