Context (Amendments / updates)
These beads are sold to Nagadis, i.e. travelling merchants who come from interior, and the Indian merchant who supplied them to donor says beads on this card used in Djimina, Aroussi and Khambata.

Event Date
Author: maa

Context (Amendments / updates)
Note from donor on catalogue card 1933.616: 'From my enquiries it would appear that the use of the beads as currency has greatly declined, if it has not completely stopped, the beads being now an ordinary article of merchandise.'
Event Date 1933
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (Production / use)
Catalogue card 1933.620: 'These beads are used by natives as ornamental decoration and they are also used as decoration to small household articles such as tables, baskets, etc. These beads are sold by Nagadis for cash and sometimes are exchanged for country produce such as skins, coffee, etc. The demand for beads is decreasing every year and I cannot give any reason for this decrease. It is highly probable that Nagadis are purchasing this commodity from Asmara and adjoining countries as well at a cheaper price than at Adis Ababa.'

Event Date 1933
Author: Katrina Dring

Description (Physical description)
Catalogue card: 'Twelve samples of beads mounted on a card. All made in Italy.
Approximate value in Adis Ababa:
1, 5, 6, 9 = Abys. $ 40 per [word unclear] (28 lbs).
2 = Abys. $42 per [word unclear] (28 lbs).
3, 4, 7, 8, 11 = Abys. $30 per [word unclear] (28 lbs).
10, 12 = Abys. $32 per [word unclear] (28 lbs).
250 cwts imported in a year.'
Event Date 1933
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
12 samples of small Italian glass beads, strung and mounted on a trading card. [.1] very small blue; [.2] oblate red; [.3] oblate clear; [.4] cylindrical dark blue; [.5] oblate blue; [.6] oblate red; [.7] oblate white; [.8] dark blue; [.9] oblate red; [.10] cylindrical blue; [.11] oblate white; [.12] cylindrical white.
Event Date 21/2/2022
Author: Emily Shorter