Beads market
Today, we went on a day trip to Koforidua, a small market town 2 hours North of Accra renowned for its beads (‘perles’ en francais) market.
Many of the old beads were made in Europe and India and transported to West Africa initially by Arab traders, overland from North Africa and from around 500 years ago, by the European traders in their sailing ships, to be used as currency to purchase gold, ivory, palm oil and slaves on the triangular trading routes from Europe to West Africa then onto the West Indies.
Today, beads are still used as presents on formal occasions (dowry, wedding, etc), 
they are also popular with the few tourists who come here. The old ‘trade beads’, which have their origins in Europe were made in Venice, Bohemia, Germany and Holland, and are worth a small fortune - up to £5 a piece.
they are also popular with the few tourists who come here. The old ‘trade beads’, which have their origins in Europe were made in Venice, Bohemia, Germany and Holland, and are worth a small fortune - up to £5 a piece.Naturally, beads or not, this remains a lively African market under the sun, and an improbable place to play pool !
Koforidua
Thursday, 25 January 2007
