bead work

Beads are small perforated objects made of different material, colours, shapes and sizes that may be strung into necklaces and bracelets or attached to clothing or furnishings. The word ‘bead’ is derived from Middle English ‘bede’ meaning ‘prayer’ and was originally applied to prayer beads, or rosaries.

Uses of Beads

Beads are used for the following:

1. Beads are used by some renown artists in design and portrait making
2. Beads are used for making shoes, purses and hand bag.
3. They are also used as necklaces, bracelets and anklets for adornment.
4. Beads are equally used for making crown and decorating the base of most royal staffs.
5. Beads are used for rosaries.

Production of Beads

Beads are usually made of variety of materials such as seeds, wood, ivory, bone, horn, shell, pearl, gemstones, metals, ceramics, plastics etc. The main materials are beads and thread. Bead works can be located in Bida, among the Nupe people of Niger State in Nigeria.

There are different ways/forms of producing improvised beads. These include:

(i) Roll paper beads

(ii) Straw beads

(iii) Seed beads

(iv) Bottle tops/cover beads

EVALUATION

1. Define beads
2. State four uses of beads
3. List 4 ways of producing improvised beads