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History

Indonesia is a large group of  approximately 17,000 islands located  between southeast Asia and the Australian continent.  These islands are home to many cultures and religions.  Indonesia also has a long history in beads.  The making, trading and wearing of beads has played a big part of this regions' history.  

Indonesia is one of the oldest countries in the world to produce glass beads.  The earliest records known to the West were in notes, titled "Periplus" ( which means 'sailing out and about')  written by an unknown Greek sailor.  Glass beads, or "manik", were made over 2500 years ago and traded throughout the east Asian countries and India.  These beads were made with great artistic talent in a variety of shapes in beautifully colored glass.  Early beads, sometimes called "trade wind" beads or "muti shallah" were small and usually monotone.  More well known  are the incorrectly dubbed "Majapahit" beads or "Jatim" core beads.  "Lorek" beads are not glass, but painted or enameled limestone and date back to about the 9th century.  There are many other styles of glass beads such as "Pelangi" or "rainbow" beads, "bird" beads, and "pyjama" beads which have stripes.

Throughout time, Indonesia has collected many beads from around the world;   Pre-Islamic, Roman and Venetian glass, Egyptian agates, Iranian faience beads, and many from India and China.  Indonesia is still producing glass beads made much the same way as through the centuries.  Still ever present are the distinct Indonesian designs.

• For further reading:

• "Magical Ancient Beads", Times Edition by Jamie D. Allen   

• "Manik Manik di Indonesia", Sumarah Addhyatman and Dodjeki Arifin

• "Asia's Maritime Bead Trade 300 BC to Present" ,  Peter Francis, Jr.