For many of the different cultures in Africa, jewellery is something they all have in common. 

Tribes use jewellery to signify their status in the tribe, their marital status and even their age, they use organic ingredients found and mined such as bone, ivory, seeds, stones, metals, and shells.

Historically the most common use of beads through jewellery was for trade, the more time and skill it took to carve and design the bead into a piece of jewellery raised the value of it. From precious metals such as gold to diamonds and rubies and sapphires, it was all used to create symbolic jewellery to express themselves. A great example is ancient Egypt where the golden crowns and beaded necklaces imbued with precious stones displayed their wealth to the world putting them firmly on Africa’s map.

Diamonds interestingly were NOT favoured among the ruling classes of the west were not popular amongst the wealthy in Africa as they were devoid of colour and easily found, therefore colourful gemstones and stones were carved and used instead becoming coloured symbols of their tribes. 

African Royalty such as Yoruba kings have intricately bead made crowns showing off the artisanal skills of the makers as well as the connection to their homeland. This piece on the right shows how they have created hanging birds off the crown with beads considerably harder than using molten metals such as gold and silver etc.

In northern Kenya, the Turkana tribe is most famous for its heavy use of beads. For example, a woman would wear 5kg worth of beaded jewellery on her body as it showed value and power, therefore men would work hard to get the women in their family adorned with the most pieces elevating their statues. On the other hand, women who had little to no beads were generally avoided by men. They also use plain metal bands around their necks to indicate their marital statues whereas men used their intricate hairstyles braided with ostrich feathers and beads to show their status In the tribe from warriors to the advisors. 

In the Ndebele tribe of South Africa they use rings to enhance a woman’s beauty. These rings made of copper and brass are worn on their neck, arms, and legs, however the ones on their neck have a different story. It is believed that having a long neck is seen as beautiful and wealthy therefore they stack these rings using animal fat as lubricant to put it on and give the illusion of a very elongated neck. Men usually give these to women as a sort of wedding symbol that they never take off until the day they die. 

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