The April edition of the Adventurers in the Diaspora (AiD) series was simply a refreshing showcase of a lifestyle around one of Ghana’s must beautiful and traditional ornaments - beads. The third event in the discussion series this year took place at the Golden Tulip Hotel Branche Lounge under the theme, ‘Where the Bead Speaks’.

Beads are a fascinating and important part of Ghanaian culture and heritage; they are an expression of the creativity and aesthetic of our people. In line AiD’s theme for the year which creates a platform for the revival of national heritage at the National Museum, the session was co-organized by the Foundation for Contemporary Art and UNESCO who are working to document the Ghana’s bead making industry.

The participants, who largely came prepared with one beaded item or two, discovered a fascinating history of the beads in Ghana and the role of beads in our society through discussions as well as the launch of a full color 106-page book named, ‘Ghana: Where the Bead Speaks’. The book which combines poetic reflections on the bead in our society by renowned African woman writer, Ama Ata Aidoo and an essay by professor of African Studies at University of Ghana, Esi Sutherland-Addy. The book design was coordinated by bead expert Kati Torda.

The exciting AiD session also witnessed exciting musical performances by singer Irene Logan and the legendary Ebo Taylor. Photo credits: Francis Kokoroko