Opeoluwa Amartey
The history of beadwork goes back several thousand years and is frequently found on ceremonial clothing and robes in archeological sites throughout Europe.
Archeologists also studying African cultures have unearthed shells used as beads that date back over 72,000 years where beadwork can be seen on clothing and accessories for ornamentation.
Beads were humankind’s first luxury, fashioned from seashells, stones, nuts, seeds, and carved wood.
Beads play significant roles in the Nigerian people’s culture, fashion, and economic and artistic expressions.
Their existence date back to the Nok culture, between 900BC to 2000 AD. Some of Africa’s most spectacular beaded objects came from the crowns of the Yoruba kings of Nigeria. These crowns were worn by the rulers of the Yoruba people with veils during state occasions and other public functions.
In Fashion today, beadwork can be seen in different forms, and old African beadwork techniques have been adapted to suit the current trends in fashion.
Beads may be strung on fiber cord or metal wire to create bracelets and necklaces. Beads have served many important functions all around the world.
Apart from being aesthetically pleasing, they have been used as currency, in meditation and prayer and to denote social standing or power.
From the period of Kings, Queens, and empires, beadwork embroidery was a royal art, a token of status for royalty, for whom designs were created out of precious gold and silver threads are drawn through luxurious fabrics.
Fashion has always been an essential part of our culture and this significantly reflects in our dressing, clothing fabrics and the accessories we wear.
Yoruba beads have essentially been a part of this fashion as these beads adorn our necks, wrists, waists and ankles, it doesn’t come as much of a shock when said that beads were traded for humans during the trans-Atlantic slave era.
Not only for fashion, many of these beads have their importance rooted in our socio-cultural and traditional beliefs, without much ado we will see more about Traditional neck beads (Necklace).
Yoruba neck beads/necklace popularly called “ìlèkè” are usually pieces of wood, metal and glasses which are usually tied together using a tiny but strong rope and are worn on our necks.
They come in different colours and forms, this colour and form tells us the story behind such beads; if it’s associated to any title or not, their importance, its function and a whole lot of other things.
There are many types of necklace in Yoruba land with each having its function:
Coral Necklace (Ìyùn):
This type of necklace is made from coral that is gotten from depths of seas and rivers; it has this reddish colour characteristic which gives its identity away once seen.
It is very common among the Yorubas especially the royalty which include the Kings and the chiefs.
Ìyùn is the richest and most expensive of the beads. It is referred to as the ” Kings of beads”. Digging for ìyùn is compared to the mining of Gold.
After the successful extraction of the ìyùn, then craftsmen get to work polishing it to bring out its colour of red and wine.
Ìyùn are not kept at home for safekeeping but are deposited at the bank to show how valuable it is. It existed in ancient times and it is still precious in our modern times.
Ìlèkè Osun:
Ìlèkè Osun is a type of Yoruba beadwork that is worn as a symbol of spiritual connection to the “Òrìshà Osun,” the goddess of love, beauty, fertility, and prosperity.
Ìlèkè means “bead” or “beads”, and “Osun” refers to the Orisha Osun. Ìlèkè Osun beads are typically made of small, intricately designed beads that are strung together in a specific pattern or design.
They are often worn by devotees of Osun as a symbol of their spiritual devotion and connection to the goddess.
Wearing Ìlèkè Osun beads is believed to offer Protection and guidance from Osun, Increased fertility and prosperity, Enhanced beauty and charm, Strengthened relationships and love life, Spiritual growth and development.
In Yoruba culture, Ìlèkè Osun are considered sacred and are often passed down from generation to generation as a symbol of family heritage and spiritual legacy.
They are a powerful symbol of spiritual identity and are worn with pride and reverence by those who cherish their cultural and spiritual traditions.
Some of the colors associated with Ìlèkè Osun include: Yellow and gold, which represent Osun’s association with sunshine and wealth
Red and pink, which represent Osun’s association with love and fertility. White, which represents Osun’s association with purity and spiritual growth.
Overall, Ìlèkè Osun hold significant cultural and spiritual significance in Yoruba tradition and are worn with pride and reverence by those who cherish their heritage and spiritual beliefs.
Glass Necklace (Akun):
Ìlèkè Akun is a beadwork or necklace that is worn as a symbol of spiritual and cultural identity. Akun means “covenant” or “agreement”.
Ìlèkè Ìdí:
Ìlèkè Ìdí is a yoruba beadwork that is worn as a symbol of spiritual connection to the Orisha Idi, who is associated with the womb and fertility.
Ìlèkè means “bead” or “beads”while Ìdí means “Òrìshà Ìdí.” They are often worn by women as a symbol of their spiritual devotion and connection to Ìdí, and are believed to offer:
Protection and guidance from Ìdí, Increased fertility and ease of childbirth, Strengthened maternal bonds and nurturing qualities, Spiritual growth and development, Connection to the divine feminine and ancestral wisdom.
Ìlèkè Oba:
Ìlèkè Oba is a type of Yoruba beadwork that is worn as a symbol of royalty and spiritual authority. Oba means “king” or “royalty”.
They are often worn by Yoruba kings and queens, as well as by spiritual leaders and dignitaries, as a symbol of their status and authority.
Wearing Ìlèkè Oba beads is believed to offer protection, guidance, and spiritual growth, and is often seen as a visual representation of one’s spiritual journey and devotion.
The beads are also sometimes used in rituals and ceremonies to mark important life events or milestones.
In Yoruba culture, Ìlèkè Oba beads are considered sacred and are often passed down from generation to generation as a symbol of family heritage and spiritual legacy.
They are a powerful symbol ofspiritual identity and are worn with pride and reverence by those who cherish their cultural and spiritual traditions.
Some of the meanings of Ìlèkè Oba beads include:vRoyalty and spiritual authority, Protection and guidance, Spiritual growth and development, Connection to ancestors and heritage,Symbol of status and dignity.
Other types types of Ìlèkè are, ” Ìlèkè Ògún, Ìlèkè Sàngó, Ìlèkè Yemoja, Ìlèkè Olókun, Ìlèkè Òrìshà Oko, Ìlèkè Egúngún, Ìlèkè Òdùduwà and so on.
Importance of necklace is mostly about looking aesthetically pleasing although they are not limited to this. Here are some uses of Necklaces:
- It is used for numerous occasions like marriages, funerals etc.
- Promoting our beautiful Yoruba culture and heritage.
- For spiritual purposes and divination.
- To show your wealth & affluence as an individual.
- For kings and chiefs; showing their societal status.
- Some persons believed that necklaces can be somehow used as birth control method, prevention of still birth and also prevention of unwanted pregnancy.
- Protection against spiritual forces has also been described amongst the uses of necklaces