THE STORY OF BEADS IN AFRICA by Rhodia Mann

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THE STORY OF BEADS IN AFRICA
Saturday 15 February 2014
Louis Leakey Auditorium, Nairobi National Museum

Do you know what a trade bead is? Do you know where they come from, how they are made and what they are worth? Do you know the origin of real amber and how to tell if it is the real thing?
To find out the answers to these questions and many more, you are invited to our fascinating and educative talk by Rhodia Mann.
Born in Kenya, Rhodia discovered her first glass beads on a Zanzibar beach at the age of 12. Thus began her life long passion. In 1973 she became a jewellery designer in New York and had numerous exhibitions of her work. Despite her success the pull to Kenya was strong and in 1981 she returned to the land of her birth.
Over almost 40 years Rhodia travelled widely in both Africa and Asia, in search of beads to make her one-off designs. She also spent a year with the Masai, funded by the Canadian government, collaborating on beaded clothing.
In 2005, she curated an exhibition on the history of beads at the Nairobi Museum. And in 2012 she published ‘Ushanga: The Story of Beads in Africa’ which will be available for sale after the presentation.
Rhodia’s talk represents 40 years of research and experience and includes illustrations from her book.
Please join us and learn about different types of beads, where they come from and how they are made. It will be worth it.

Refreshments 3.15pm Starts 4:00 pm
Donation: Ksh 400 KMS member
Ksh 500 Guest
Ksh 200 Student
Tickets: 0724 255299, 2339158 or info@kenyamuseumsociety.org
Mpesa no: 400800, Account no: 6571570019