They encourage the viewer to look away from them and keep safe the wearer. They were made from grooved teeth and bones which were worn as pendants. Today, the religions of nearly two-thirds of the worlds population utilise some form of prayer beads. Worry Beads, like prayer beads are made from a great many materials, plastic, glass, wood, amber and semi-precious stones. Their primary function is as a release for tension which provides a security that may in fact be subconsciously spiritual.
Beads are an important part of a communicative system in all African societies.
Adornment, particularly with beads, communicate cultural values in a symbolic language that express rank, religion, politics and artistic attitudes. In the Western world we tend to take for granted the Bead, but when we truly think of their use they become little secrets of history that reflect our past and present, and for those to come, our future.