The Lagos market pulsed with a chaotic symphony of haggling voices and rhythmic drumming. Beads cascaded like colourful waterfalls from every stall, their shimmering surfaces a kaleidoscope under the relentless sun. My gaze caught on a pair of intricately woven earrings, each bead a miniature universe of swirling blues and fiery oranges.
As I reached for them, a wrinkled hand, adorned with countless silver bangles, gently stopped me. “Ah,” the woman chuckled, her eyes sparkling like the beads themselves. “These hold stories, child.
Not just of the colours, but of the hands that made them, the journeys they’ve taken.” That day, amidst the vibrant chaos of the market, I wasn’t just captivated by the beauty of Nigerian beadwork. I was captivated by the stories it promised to tell.
And so began my exploration of this captivating world, a world where tradition dances with innovation, and every bead whispers tales of history and culture. A timeless tradition Nigeria’s love affair with beads stretches back centuries. Archaeological evidence suggests the Nok culture, flourishing around 1000 BC, adorned themselves with stone beads.
The ancient Ife kingdom was renowned for its flourishing glass bead industry by the 9th century AD. Notably, the renowned Benin kingdom incorporated coral beads, often imported by the Portuguese, into their royal attire, imbuing them with immense prestige. A mosaic of materials and techniques Nigerian beadwork boasts a remarkable diversity.
Be.
