History of Practical Uses for Beads

I am addicted to beads. I really am. I don't really have much use for gold chains or diamonds but I suppose they have their place in the world of Bling-Bling. I much prefer a nice trade bead, or a lampwork (glass blown) bead. These are far more interesting to me than the usual show of affluence that many prefer.

The history of beads is greater than one would imagine. It stretches back almost 30,000 years to the dawn of humankind. In order classify beads historically I will give you four types of beads in a timeline.

1. Vintage - 50 yrs. to 100 yrs old
2. Antique - 100 years to 1800's
3. Ancient - 2,500 B.C. to 500 A.D.
4. Prehistoric - 30,000 years ago to 2,500 BC

It is important to understand that the importance of beads historically is actually quite complex. Beads were naturally used as adornment as far back as 30,000 years ago. In addition they have also been used as a show of social position, political office, marriage status, and wealth. Beads have also been used as currency and this is perhaps their most important role in history.

Various indigenous peoples have used them in trade, most notably the Africans and the Native American Indians. Beads were originally made by prehistoric individuals and the materials used were what could be found at hand, usually bone, seeds, shell, and stone. Whatever struck the fancy of the individual and occurred naturally in their environment was used.

The most famous of uses was in trade for slaves. African Kings and merchants along the coast would trade slaves that they captured from inland tribes. The slave traders would trade for glass beads made by the Venetians, Dutch, and Bohemians (Czech) and in some cases beads were purchased for trade from the Chinese.

Hundreds of pounds of beads would be stored in the holds of the merchant ships when leaving their home ports and used as a ballast to keep the boat on an even keel. Then when their trade was complete the beads would be off loaded and replaced by slaves. A few fine stings of beads could by you two or three strong black men to sell on the auction block for work on the plantations.

Many tribes attached great spiritual significance to certain beads. As an example I will explain the importance of cowry shells. The cowry shell or conch shell in many cases represented the aperture by which a person is born, making their significance even more important. In Turkey a woman's wealth was worn sew to a belt worn on her hips later to be used by some in Belly Dancing. A coin would be thrown in appreciation for her performance and she would pound a hole in it and sew it to her hip belt.

Beads could be worn for the curative powers they were thought to embody and Egyptian Kings were buried with beads to symbolize their wealth. These beads were later pilfered from the tombs by grave robbers that were in turn sold to wandering merchants. In the Americas explorers and merchants used beads to trade for passage through the wilderness and in some cases beads were used in the purchase of land. The favorite story being the trade of $24 worth of beads for the island of Manhattan, this however is a myth.

The spiritual significance of prayer beads was very important to various religions. Prayer beads have been used by Muslims, Buddhists, and as Rosaries for the Catholics. While these beads have typically been of very humble materials it has become common for some to make elaborate beaded rosaries as a fashion statement.

Beading has gained prominence and one can only wonder why given the fact that they are so humble an adornment. However beads have become big business. I find it relaxing to handle beads. Some people knit, I play with beads. If you wish to read more on the historical uses of beads the consummate book on bead history is "The History of Beads" written by Lois Sherr Dubin.