The Art of Making Beads
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Port
Tema (Accra), Ghana
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Activity Level
Moderate Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$290
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 6 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
Beads play a very important role in the life and culture of the Krobo people of Ghana. They are used to mark family status, in the displays of royalty and wealth, to mark special occasions and in the important rites of passage of girls to puberty called the "Dipo".
Depart the pier for an orientation of Accra on your way to Cedi Bead Factory. Take a tour of the factory and participate in a bead making workshop, using traditional methods.
Beads come in every color, shape and size you can imagine are made from recycled glass, beer and wine bottles and broken windows. They are pounded and crushed with a mortar and pestle and then poured into molds and heated individually in ovens. These ovens are made from termite mounds which are able to withstand high temperatures. The beads are then smoothed while still warm and the molds lined with clay powder to prevent sticking. A cassava stick is put in the center of the bead while it melts into shape. They are then cooled and hand polished with sand and water.
At the end of the workshop, you will have your own handmade beads to take home and can visit the gift shop where the artists display their best work for sale.
Following the bead making, return to the pier, stopping at a local restaurant for lunch along the way.
Please note:
Tour involves 2 hours of sitting during the bead making. Bring local currency, as many vendors do not accept credit cards or US dollars. Wear sunglasses and sunscreen. Bring a hat. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Tour is not available on weekends.