Fragile and Powerful Links

WE ALL KNOW THAT beads are important. The Old English word ‘bead’ originally meant ‘prayer’. Understanding their rich cultural history and significance, one is drawn to the fact that beads are most often found in religious contexts; often either to structure a sequence of prayers, or to invoke the good will of a deity. They also possess a rich, deep, and varied cultural and traditional history.

Jumoke Debayo is a London born journalist, actor, producer and director. Jumoke’s recent quest to coordinate an array of beads to be exhibited in conjunction with the Melbourne Commonwealth Games, was a daunting task indeed. Her solution was to concentrate mainly upon beads by the major religions within the 53 Commonwealth nations. The project that Jumoke undertook reflects an aspect of the culture of virtually every Commonwealth Nation, involved significant resources, overseen by her desire to accurately portray the heritage associated with the use of beads by all of the nations linked by their traditional connection with Great Britain.

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