African beads – Beads are not just a form of decoration in many parts of Africa. Instead, the different colors of the beads and how they are strung represent a way of communication. Young men may wear “love letter†necklaces given to them by their girlfriends. When a girl marries, she is allowed to wear more strings of beads to represent her new higher status in society.Â
Source: Bruce-Mitford, Miranda. “The Ilustrated Book of Signs and Symbols,” Dorling Kindersley Limited, London, 2004.