Why modern beads are taking over the market from the indigenous traditional beads

I grew up in the Eastern Region of Ghana. I am the fourth male born of a traditional caterer who I affectionately call “Yayo” and the tick tall building designer who migrated from Ada to settle in Odumase Krobo. I am the professional beads maker who moved into community Radio broadcast journalism since the year 2001

Indeginuos traditional Krobo beads are produced from glasses. The broken and rejected glasses goes through a refinery to get the various types of the native beads. The most expensive and recognised beads needs no expensive machines and materials to produce them. Rather more creativity and professinalism is expected. The bodm, Akoso, Otaka, Meteh Zagba, Fenewa, Kpeh, Aderh and others are few recognised beads mainly produced by the Krobo People. These Traditional beads are what my Elder Brother learnt and pass it on to me. Many beads makers are going out of the bussiness due to climate change and it’s impart.

The broken glasses are being turned into something useful preventing them from entering into the sea and water bodies as well as farm lands but the fire it takes to heat the oven to melt the glass powder to mould the bead also has negative implications on the weather. The trees are being used to get firewood which also affects the vegetation. Most indeginuos beads manufacturers quit including myself due to scarcity of firewood and other issues personal.

WHY MODERN “INFERIOR BEADS” ARE TALKING OVER THE MARKET FROM THE NATIVE BEADS.

Many are withdrawing from the indeginuos beads production sector due to high cost of production and it’s time consuming nature.
It’s more expensive than the modern type and people who do not place value on it feel difficult to buy.
Imitators are producing more quantity and shifting it into the country.
Youth now a days wear beads for fashion and not as Tradition as beads they wore at times do not tally with a particular occasion they attend.
Morden beads are very accessible for fashion designers.

Even though “inferior beads” have hit the Ghanaian markerts which dilute the culture of some specific Communities, it brings more jobs for the people.