Between the sixteenth and twentieth centuries, beads became the currency of wealth and an important sign of status. People were even buried with their beads - giving them the necessary trappings for safe passage into the next life, showing how precious these tokens were both materially and spiritually.

They used these beads as a currency, as a measure of wealth, as a store of wealth, as decorative items, and to show status in the society. Trade beads used in Africa also go by the name slave beads because they were exchanged for slaves. This was between the sixteenth and the twentieth century.