View source for Category:Beadmaking

{{Technique
| name = Beadmaking
| region = Nigeria
}}

'''Beadmaking''' is a craft technique involving the production, shaping, and assembly of beads used for adornment, ritual objects, and symbolic regalia. In Nigeria, beadmaking is closely connected to social status, spiritual meaning, and long-standing trade traditions.

== Definition ==
Beadmaking refers to the creation of small perforated objects designed to be strung or attached to other materials. Beads may be produced from a variety of materials and assembled into complex decorative forms.

== Historical usage ==
Beadmaking has a long history in Nigeria, with beads playing significant roles in:
* Personal adornment
* Royal and courtly regalia
* Ritual and ceremonial practices
* Trade and economic exchange

Beads often functioned as markers of authority, wealth, and cultural identity.

== Materials ==
Beadmaking in Nigerian crafts involves materials such as:
* Glass
* Stone
* Metal
* Shell
* Organic materials (seeds, bone)

Many beads were historically imported through trade, while others were locally produced or modified.

== Techniques and methods ==
Traditional beadmaking techniques include:
* Shaping and perforating raw materials
* Grinding and polishing
* Drilling holes for stringing
* Assembling beads into strands or patterns

In some contexts, beadmaking focuses more on assembly and symbolic arrangement than on primary material production.

== Cultural and social context ==
Beadmaking is often associated with:
* Royal institutions and leadership
* Ritual specialists
* Social hierarchy and identity

The use and arrangement of beads may be governed by strict cultural rules and symbolism.

== Regional variation ==
Beadmaking traditions vary across Nigeria, influenced by:
* Trade connections
* Cultural symbolism
* Availability of materials

Certain regions are particularly known for elaborate bead traditions linked to leadership and ceremonial life.

== See also ==
* [[:Category:Beads]]
* [[:Category:Adornment]]
* [[:Category:Traditional crafts of Nigeria]]

[[Category:Techniques]]
[[Category:Nigerian crafts]]