Trade beads Trade beads Trade beads (sometimes called aggry and slave beads) were otherwise decorative glass beads used between the 16th and 20th century as a token money to exchange for goods, services and slaves (hence the name). Trade beads were used to African resources by early Europeans. This included African slave trade. The beads were integrated in Native American jewelry using various beadwork techniques. Aggry beads are a particular type of decorated glass bead from Ghana. Made to ease the passage of European explorers and then traders mainly across the African continents, the beads were made throughout Europe although the Venetians
Worry beads roll them against each other, creating soft clicking sounds. Worry beads can be a musical instrument, related to rebetiko. Sound is emitted using a drinking glass and rubbing the lip against the worry bead, which is suspended from one button. It is also superstition in certain Greek communities that husbands-to-be, on their wedding night, will perform a "worry bead ritual" involving rapid back-and-forth movement of all beads. This is meant to ensure sexual fulfilment (συνουσία, "synousía"), on the wedding night and during the following honeymoon period. Worry beads Worry beads or kombolói, kompoloi (, , "bead collection"; plural: , )