African Glass, Recycled, Rondelle, Ashanti, Green, 15x5mm, 22in Strand

African Glass, Recycled, Rondelle, Ashanti, Green, 15x5mm, 2-3mm Hole

This price is for one 22 inch strand

15x5mm strands have approx. 115-120 pieces

The Ashanti (Asante) people of modern-day Ghana have a storied history with glass beads that blends artistry, status, and deep-rooted spiritual meaning. While the Ashanti are world-renowned for their gold, their "sand glass" beads are equally central to their cultural identity.

Ashanti beads are made using a unique powder-glass technique. Old glass bottles, jars, or even broken imported beads are ground down into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle. The powder is poured into clay molds. To create the hole for stringing, a cassava leaf stalk is placed in the center. The molds are fired in a furnace. During this process, the glass fuses together and the cassava stalk burns away. Once cooled, the beads are rubbed against a stone with water and sand to smooth the surface and reveal the vibrant patterns.

Beads in Ashanti culture are far more than jewelry; they are a visual language. They communicate a person’s age, status, ethnic origin, and even their emotional state.