Baule Tamba Blue Bead Necklace 34Inch

A “Tamba” refers to a collection of multi-stranded European glass seed beads, commonly known as “hanks.” These fine, uniformly sized beads were produced primarily in Italy and exported in bundled strands to West Africa, where they were transformed into wearable adornments.

Among the Baule people, these bead hanks were skillfully assembled into layered waist adornments traditionally worn by women in Côte d’Ivoire from the pre- to early 1900s. Worn around the waist, Tambas carried cultural significance tied to femininity, beauty, and social identity, and were often associated with coming-of-age, marriage, and personal wealth.

The delicate drape created by multiple strands gives Tambas a distinctive fluidity and movement, while the subtle variations in color and translucency reflect the quality of European glass production of the time. Though originally intended as waist beads, these pieces have evolved in their use.

Today, Tambas are highly valued by collectors and designers alike. They can be worn as necklaces or belts, repurposed in contemporary jewelry and textile work, or appreciated as historical artifacts that represent the intersection of European craftsmanship and African cultural expression.

Strands show slight tangling

This strand is not intended to be a ready-to-wear necklace. Although the strand can be worn "as is," the string holding it together is not durable and may break with use. For this reason, we recommend that you restring the beads before wearing them.

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