Brass Wraps - african killerbeads

Wedding Beads

Description

These hand blown beads were first crafted in Bohemia (Czech Republic) in the early 1700's. They are a sign of wealth and social standing.

Still used by the Fulani and Peul tribes, these beads are gifted to brides by their future husbands to show the wealth of her new family.  Wedding beads are worn during the marriage ceremony and are sometimes 'borrowed' from family members to keep up appearances.

The flat wedding beads show below are also hand blown.  They are, however, flattened and produce a different effect.

Full strands of the same color are difficult to come by, but gayly colored strands are more favored.
Black and White
Blue Wedding Beads
White Wedding Beads