Call it fashion, fascination or just a lifestyle, some ladies can’t trade their waist beads for anything.
Waist beads are one of the few ornaments that ladies continue to wear after several decades.
In Yoruba culture, waist beads are a part of the rite of passage for young women. As a young woman outgrows her beads, she receives newer ones, which are worn as symbols of confidence, femininity, fertility, and well-being.
Waist beads are worn for posture, beauty, weight tracking, protection, growth, sexual desire, and other reasons. In addition, waist beads can represent royalty and social standing, depending on the price and quality of the beads. Women of royalty usually wear more expensive and rare beads to distinguish themselves from others.
The use of waist beads in Igbo culture dates back to 500 BC and has been worn by both men and women across all social classes.
Waist beads, known as Mgbájí in Igbo language, are commonly used during festivities and traditional ceremonies and are popular among young girls and married women. They are usually made with materials such as copper, coral, beads, and stones, and held together with string or wire.
Waist beads among the Hausa are referred to as Jigida. It is common to see newborn females with beads around their waist.
Typical Hausa beads are usually tinier than most and are made of plastic, wood, bones, cowries and shells. In Hausa culture, there are claims that beads can be used to ward off evil, preserving virginity, and protecting girls from getting raped. They are also worn for adornment, enhancing femininity and sensuality.
Though many have a negative perception of women wearing waist beads, and call them promiscuous, others still view it as just a beauty accessory. Benefits of wearing a bead that ladies love
Weight awareness. Waist beads are commonly used to gauge changes in weight.
Maturity: In parts of the world where waist beads are a tradition, the beads are often associated with womanhood, maturity, and growth.
Waist beads are eye catchy and so induce intimacy. They are also said to signify fertility.
Heritage and pride: They are often seen as a cultural heritage and pride.
Women who wear waist beads are believed to be more attractive and sensuous.
They help shrink the waist and help ladies watch their weight.
Waist beads give ladies some sexual appeal.
Waist beads let people know when they’re losing weight or gaining weight. The beads roll lower the waist when they’re losing weight or roll higher/get tight when they’re gaining some weight
