Collection: Kiffa Beads from Mauritania – Hand-Painted African Glass Beads

Discover the Art and Legacy of Kiffa Beads from Mauritania

Kiffa beads are rare, visually appealing glass beads named after the city of Kiffa from Mauritania, West Africa. Kiffa beads (also known locally as “Murakad”) were inspired by the Islamic period Fustat beads (Fustat was the old capital of Egypt) and antique Venetian millefiori beads.

The Mauritanian women who create these African trade beads use simple tools and materials, like pulverized bottles, different glass objects and recycled European glass beads.

The beads are handcrafted from glass that is crushed into a fine powder and mixed with a binder, such as saliva or Gum Arabic diluted in water.

The beads are handmade in various shapes, such as diamond, triangular, spherical, cross, cylindrical and conical. The colors of the beads are polychromatic and monochromatic.

Then, the beads are decorated with glass slurry, which is applied with pointed tools.

Once the beads are created, they are placed in a small metal container and are heated on an open fire without molds to help the glass fusion process.

The Mauritanian people believe that these beads offer protection against the Evil Eye, have healing powers and, depending on the pattern, even improve fertility.

Handmade Kiffa beads are amazing, and they visually stand out. Their unusual colors can help show off your style in a unique way, and that, on its own, can be very exciting. Despite their ancient style, these glass beads are modern, and they can be worn in lots of cool ways.

If you’re inspired by the artistry of Kiffa beads, don’t miss our handmade beaded jewelry collection, where traditional beads like Kiffa are transformed into beautiful, wearable art.

We also invite you to explore our extensive range of African glass beads, including vibrant recycled Krobo beads crafted in Ghana using sustainable methods.

Collectors and bead lovers may also want to visit our Kiffa Beads Archives, which showcase a wide selection of previously sold Kiffa beads and unique pieces from our personal collection. It's a journey through history, color, and cultural expression.