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All the United States Michigan Detroit MBAD African Bead Museum

MBAD African Bead Museum

The collection of ceremonial and cultural objects spans many countries and hundreds of years.

Detroit, Michigan

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Nick Jackson
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  Jessica Leigh Hester
  http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NIS9V-JtlM8/S8Om...
  Jessica Leigh Hester
  http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NIS9V-JtlM8/S8Om...
  Jessica Leigh Hester
  Jessica Leigh Hester
  http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NIS9V-JtlM8/S8Om...
  http://www.mbad.org/images/Picture%20006.jpg
MBAD African Bead Museum, 7/16/2021   Keri Kilgo / Atlas Obscura User
MBAD African Bead Museum, 7/16/2021   Keri Kilgo / Atlas Obscura User
Outside the Mbad/aba African Bead Museum   jtothez / Atlas Obscura User
Mbad/aba African Bead Museum   jtothez / Atlas Obscura User
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Here, beads aren't just ornaments—they're fascinating ways of signifying power, status, and culture.

Tucked into a former house on Detroit's near west side, a short ride from downtown, the MBAD African Bead Museum contains scores of jars and thousands of strands spanning hundreds of years and a slew of places across the African continent.

Unlike many museums, where artifacts are concealed behind thick glass, visitors are invited to handle these strands, made from seeds, shells, rocks, even bone. (Many are also for sale.)

In addition to the collection of beads that carry a lot of cultural significance, the museum holds books on African history and culture, paintings and sculpture from local Black American artists, and objects crafted from ivory, silver, and other materials.

Collector, curator, and writer Olayami Dabls is the driving force behind the project. He has also decked out the sprawling lot behind the rowhouse with poignant art installations made from rock, metal, and crushed glass and mirror fragments. On the main floor, he regales visitors with talks about his travels and the rich history of beads.

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Added By

nbj914

Edited By

jessicahester1, jtothez, Keri Kilgo

  • jessicahester1
  • jtothez
  • Keri Kilgo

Published

October 24, 2009

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  • Yelp: Mbad's African Bead Museum: http://www.yelp.com/biz/mbads-african-bead-museum-detroit
  • Yahoo! Travel: Mbad's African Bead Museum, Detroit: http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2828307-african_bead_museum_detroit-i
  • Detroit Lives!: "Home is Whenever I’m With You" (April 2010): http://detroitlives.org/tag/dabls-african-bead-museum/
MBAD African Bead Museum
6559 Grand River Ave.
Detroit, Michigan, 48204
United States
42.356121, -83.108812
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