How to Create African Initiation Beads

Greetings, people who have enjoyed the first articles I wrote regarding this subject. This article defers a little to a different aspect of creating beadwork. Now there are countless experts and numerous books on creating beadwork. But, only a person who was taught from observation and divine tutelage can these beads. Am I an expert in making divine beads? I am far from being an expert. But, I am a lover of beads and the many ways in which they are made. In the following article, I will express to you the way I made African Initiation Beads.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• You will need bead cord, scissors, wood beads, and body oil (baby oil).

The Purpose of Making African Initiation Beads

1. To make, African Initiation Beads, one must understand the occasion for making them. But, I also made them to bring in a new lease on life. Also, The African Initiation Beads are spiritual beads and must be made divine through a chant. Therefore, before any lacing occurs, a pray or incantation must be recited. Here is the one I use:
   
   “Ife, Ife Ile, Ochi, Osun, Abba, Osei.”
   Father reigns over Heaven and earth through fire, love and beauty
   
   These words are Yoruba and are used in Ife Divination, which is a religion practiced in Nigeria and other countries of the world. You may want to use a prayer specifically created from your own religious beliefs. Now, I must remind you I am not Yoruba, so the actual meaning presented above may not be completely accurate. But, if you want to know what the chant means, look it over on the internet under the key words: Ife Divination, chants, and Yoruba language.
2. In the second step, after you have cut the tubular bead cord, use body oil to scent the beads similar to many biblical reference of “anointing with oil.” This oil does not have to be expensive. Body oil mixed with a fragrance like fruit, herb, mineral, etc can also work. Be careful not to use oils that are rancid or that make you sick. Once the incantation has been said and the oil has been spread throughout the bead cord, gather you bag of wooden beads. Simply lace the bead cord with the body oil and dry any areas of the cord that may drip or fall.
3. In the third step, bead the oiled bead cord. To do this, take several of the beads and individually place them on the bead cord. Bead cord is not created equal. Therefore, if you are using large wooden beads, your bead cord should be between a millimeter and a quarter of an inch thick to accommodate for the size of the beads. A good place to find these beads is any craft store.
4. The fourth step involves the length of the necklace. Some people like to have long lavish wooden beads, while others prefer shorter beads to bring out their neckline. I prefer longer, bigger beads because they have a cultural connotation that I like. Many of the traditional African tribes display this and since I relished renewing my Afrocentricity. You may want to use a different style.

Tips & Warnings

• Create an African Chant that reflects your mentality, belief system, and philosophy.
• Adding a scent to the bead cord makes the beads smell better especially during summer months when smells can either be alluring or offensive.
• Have fun with this project; remember you are going to wear the finished product.
• If you do not know why you are making the beads, then don't make them.
• Don't use rancid oils on the tubular beads because they will smell, cause infection, or skin rashes.
• Use tubular bead cord instead of string bead cord because it lasts longer.

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