Thursday, October 27, 2011

African Slave Trade Beads


From Trade Beads, The History of Trade Beads

The earliest known beads were made from materials such as bone, teeth, ivory, seeds, wood, stone, and resins from a variety of insects and plants. The purpose of the first beads worn is believed to have been protection against uncontrollable events such as harsh weather, to enhance beauty, and as a show of status in the society.

People started using trade beads when trade routes were established and there was a need for currency. However, most of the trade beads in the market today were used even while there were other currencies. These were used by Europeans to trade with people who did not know about currency such as Africans and Native American Indians.


In Africa, trade beads were used in West Africa by Europeans who got them from Venice, Holland, and Bohemia. They used millions of beads to trade with Africans for slaves, services, and goods such as palm oil, gold, and ivory. The trade with Africans was so vital that some of the beads were made specifically for Africans. These include Millefiori trade beads, Chevron trade beads, striped melons trade beads, feather trade beads, and eye beads. Other trade beads reached Africa from India through Arab Traders. The Venetians dominated production of trade beads, especially those used in Africa.

The trade was successful because Africans placed a lot of intrinsic value on decorative items. They used these beads as a currency, as a measure of wealth, as a store of wealth, as decorative items, and to show status in the society. Trade beads used in Africa also go by the name slave beads because they were exchanged for slaves. This was between the sixteenth and the twentieth century.

The first recorded case of use of Trade beads in America is by Christopher Columbus who wrote in his log on October 12, 1492 that he had given San Salvador natives glass trade beads to impress them. Native American Indians had used beads in the past and so they readily accepted trade beads from the European in exchange for fur, horse, and other items. Native American Indians used these beads to decorate their clothes and their baskets, to trade within themselves, and to beautify themselves.

Trade beads were made from different materials and in different styles and colors, depending on who was commissioning them. Glass was the most commonly used material. Apart from the United States and Africa, trade beads are also found in Canada and Latin America.


The beginning of today’s trade in trade beads can be traced in the late 60's to early 70's. This was when global travel took root and many young people went to exotic places and brought back treasures such as beads. Some of these ‘hippies’ began importing beads and other ornaments to their countries. Once the beads were popularized, people researched on them to get the original trade beads and these are very expensive today. African traders brought large quantities of these beads to the west when they grew in popularity.

Many people are making trade beads that mimic the original trade beads. To get the genuine beads, do not expect flawlessness, buy from an established online or offline jewelry store, and consult a professional jeweler before making a purchase. (source: Trade Beads)



From the fifteenth century, glass beads were used as currency by European explorers, traders and missionaries to buy objects from local people all over the world, in particular in Africa. There, glass beads were traded for incense, ivory, tortoiseshell, rhinoceros horn, palm and coconut oils, timber, gold, and slaves.  (source: http://www.prm.ox.ac.uk/LGweb/beads/1893_28_2.htm)

25 comments:

  1. Excellent post but I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this subject?
    I'd be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit further. Thanks!

    my website: diets for women

    ReplyDelete
  2. Since the admin of this website is working, no
    doubt very rapidly it will be famous, due to its feature contents.


    My web-site ... steuerberatungskanzlei wiesbaden

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?
    you made running a blog look easy. The overall look
    of your site is fantastic, let alone the content material!


    My web blog ... WordPress Video Kurs

    ReplyDelete
  4. I got this site from my pal who told me regarding this web site and at the moment this time I
    am visiting this web site and reading very informative content at this place.


    my homepage - koch dich schlank

    ReplyDelete
  5. Amazing! This blog looks just like my old one! It's on a totally different topic but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Excellent choice of colors!

    my web site: rezepte paleo diät

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hello colleagues, its fantastic paragraph regarding educationand fully explained, keep it up
    all the time.

    my web-site ... eigengewichtsübungen arme
    my web site - koch dich schlank

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am really loving the theme/design of your website.
    Do you ever run into any browser compatibility issues?

    A small number of my blog audience have complained about my
    site not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Chrome.

    Do you have any tips to help fix this issue?

    Here is my homepage: invento hq symphony 2.2

    ReplyDelete
  8. It's the best time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I've read this publish and
    if I could I wish to suggest you some attention-grabbing issues or advice.
    Perhaps you can write subsequent articles referring to this article.

    I desire to learn more issues approximately it!


    My website - no carbohydrate diet

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm now not sure the place you're getting your info,
    but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or figuring
    out more. Thank you for fantastic information I used to be searching for this info
    for my mission.

    my blog opel corsa b radio ausbauen
    my website > wordpress plugin kontaktformular

    ReplyDelete
  10. Do you mind if I quote a couple of your articles as long
    as I provide credit and sources back to your weblog? My blog site
    is in the exact same area of interest as yours and my visitors would definitely benefit from some of the information you present here.

    Please let me know if this okay with you. Cheers!

    Visit my webpage: Anlageberater in Mainz

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am not sure where you're getting your information, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for excellent info I was looking for this information for my mission.

    Also visit my website The web’s premiere DJ community

    ReplyDelete
  12. I like the valuable info you provide in your articles.
    I will bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly.
    I'm quite sure I'll learn plenty of new stuff right here!
    Good luck for the next!

    Here is my blog post; The web’s premiere DJ community

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hurrah! In the end I got a blog from where I be able to in fact take useful facts regarding my study and knowledge.



    my blog post solavei

    ReplyDelete
  14. Good day! Do you know if they make any plugins to protect
    against hackers? I'm kinda paranoid about losing everything I've worked hard on.
    Any recommendations?

    Also visit my web site - The web’s premiere DJ community

    ReplyDelete
  15. I think this is among the most vital info for me. And i am glad reading
    your article. But want to remark on few general things, The
    website style is ideal, the articles is really excellent :
    D. Good job, cheers

    my web site ... Taylor Swift - I Knew You Were Trouble (Kim Viera Cover)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thanks for the marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it, you might be a great author.
    I will always bookmark your blog and will eventually
    come back in the foreseeable future. I want to encourage you continue your
    great writing, have a nice morning!

    Also visit my homepage; bidwindeals.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Greetings! Very useful advice in this particular article!
    It's the little changes which will make the biggest changes. Thanks for sharing!

    Here is my homepage http://www.atfxc.com/profile/rozellaoeb

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm linking this webpage from my personal weblog . this has all of the usefull info necessary.

    Also visit my web page :: having trouble getting pregnant with second baby

    ReplyDelete
  19. Nice description which is given by you in this blog. Its provide a solution related to my problen. Thank you for this blog
    Visit :- Glass Beads

    ReplyDelete
  20. Fantastic articles is post by you in this blog. You give a nice thing. Thank you for such a nice article. Every word og this blog helps me to give detail to me.
    Visit: Online Bead Store

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thank you for these wonderfull knowledge.I want to find out, its advisable to invest on genuine antique Africa trade beads

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful article. hanks
    Tractorgyan

    ReplyDelete
  23. Joker Gaming ที่สุดของวงการเกม สล็อตมือถือ หรือสล็อตออนไลน์ที่มาพร้อมกับการจ่ายเงินก้อนโตจาก Joker2022 สล็อตรุ่นน้อง . ใหม่แห่งปี 2022 จัดอันดับเกมสล็อตที่น่าสนใจที่สุดแห่งปี 2022 ในแอปมีเกม SLOT ให้คุณเล่นมากกว่า 100 เกม Joker Game ชื่อนี้คุณแน่ใจว่าคุณจะเล่นกับเว็บไซต์ที่ดีที่สุดของปี 2022 เล่นง่าย ฝากเร็ว มีพนักงานคอยดูแลคุณตลอด 24 ชั่วโมง ที่สุดของอุตสาหกรรมสล็อตออนไลน์ มีการอัพเดทเป็นประจำ การันตีโดย Google ติดอันดับเว็บไซต์ 10 อันดับแรก คุณจึงมั่นใจ สมัครสมาชิกวันนี้รับสิทธิพิเศษมากมาย โปรโมชั่นดีๆรอคุณอยู่


    รีวิวเกม Fat Choy Choy Sun เป็นเกมสล็อตออนไลน์ มาใหม่จากค่าย Joker Gaming ที่เรียกได้ว่าเป็นค่ายเกมสล็อตออนไลน์ยักษ์ใหญ่ ที่คนเล่นทั่วโลกรวมถึงประเทศเรานั่นเอง ซึ่งเกมนี้เป็นเกมแนวใหม่

    พูดได้เลยว่าดีมากอัตราการจ่ายสูงมาก เกมฟรีที่มาเร็วมาก แถมโบนัสอื่นๆ อีกมากมาย มาพร้อมเกมสล็อตมากมาย สล็อตเทพเจ้าแห่งความมั่งคั่ง สิ่งนี้เกี่ยวข้องกับเงินทองความมั่งคั่ง

    สล็อตเกมนี้จะเห็นภาพรีวิว เป็นรูปของเทวดา รู้จักกันดี ยังรู้จักในนามนายเป่า หรือ เปา บุญจิน นั่นเอง แต่ในเกมนี้ ไม่ใช่แค่ท่านเป่าที่ดูเคร่งขรึม เหมือนในหนังแต่กลับกลายเป็น บ่าว บุน จิน ยืนยิ้มหน้าเกม ซึ่งทำให้เกมนี้มีสีสัน และน่าเล่นมากขึ้นเรื่อยๆ เกมคาสิโนออนไลน์สล็อตนี้สามารถวางเดิมพันขั้นต่ำ 10 บาทและ

    มีสไตล์การเล่นที่เรียบง่ายและให้ผลตอบแทนสูง ดังนั้นเราจึงนำเสนอเกมนี้ ออกมาพร้อมกับรีวิวพิเศษ สำหรับเหล่านักสปินเกมสล็อตออนไลน์ได้ไปสะสมเงินรางวัลให้มากที่สุด มาเป็นสมาชิกกับเราวันนี้ พร้อมโบนัสมากมาย สมัครสมาชิก คลิกที่นี่ สมัครสมากชิก

    ReplyDelete
  24. Glass was the most common material for these beads which i have seen in a post of gb instagram. West Africa was the best known region for using Trade Beads and often used them for high-class art projects and jewelry.

    ReplyDelete

HOME

HOME
Click here to return to the US Slave Home Page