Context (Production / use)
Catalogue card: '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

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: maa

Description (Physical description)
Catalogue card: 'Sixteen samples of beads mounted on a card. Nos 1-12 made in Germany, Nos 13-16 made in Japan.
Approximate value in Adis Ababa:
1 = Abys. $10 per 2000.
2, 4-11 = Abys. $5 per 6000.
3 = Abys. $9 per 1000.
12 = Abys. $1 per 1000.
13-16 = Abys. $1/2 per 1200.
2000 packets are imported annually of 1-11. 1000 packets are imported annually of 12. 200 packets are imported annually of 13-16.'

Event Date 1933
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
Sixteen samples of German and Japanese glass beads, strung and mounted onto a trade card. [.1] two faceted green beads; [.2] two oblate clear beads; [.3] one large spherical blue bead; [.4] one oblate orange bead, broken into three pieces; [.5] two oblate white beads; [.6] two spherical yellow beads; [.7] two spherical clear blue beads; [.8] two spherical blue beads; [.9] two spherical clear beads; [.10] two spherical brown beads; [.11] two spherical black beads; [.12] one annular blue beads; [.13] one gold bead made from three spheres joint together; [.14] four brown spheres joint together; [.15] three silver spheres joint together; [.16] four black spheres joint together.
Event Date 21/2/2022
Author: Emily Shorter