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Fire, Glass, and Memory: The Krobo Bead-Making Tradition in Ghanaian History and Culture
↓Chapter 1
Krobo Homeland and Historical Identity
The Krobo are part of the larger Dangme-speaking world of southeastern Ghana, historically linked to the Krobo mountain and surrounding settlements such as Odumase and Somanya. Their identity was shaped by defense, trade, descent, and ceremonial life. Even after the British conquest of the mountain in 1892, Krobo communities carried forward a strong sense of belonging rooted in place, family, and ritual practice.
About This Book
This book explores the Krobo world of southeastern Ghana and the famous bead-making traditions associated with Odumase, Koforidua markets, and wider Dangme cultural life.
Key Themes
- Krobo
- beads
- craft traditions
- Dangme
- trade
- women
- material culture
Why This Matters
Krobo beads are not only decorative objects. They encode status, age, fertility, memory, and trade history, while showing how Ghanaian artisans transformed imported glass and local knowledge into a major cultural industry.
Historical and Cultural Context
Connects to Krobo society, Dangme culture, women's work, trade networks, lifecycle rites, and Ghanaian craft economies.
