History of Waist Beads
Beads were used in Africa as a form of currency for trading. Many tribes in Africa have been known to have embraced the use of beads in jewelry making especially the Maasai tribe in Kenya and Yoruba in Nigeria. This art later was adopted by other neighboring countries like Ghana. To date, Ghana has arguably upheld the tradition of beaded jewelry making, mostly waist beads which are worn around the lower part of the body. Referred to as ‘Jigida’ by the Hausa tribe of Ghana, the name has been adopted by other tribes to refer to waist beads.
Purpose of Waist Beads
Throughout several countries in West Africa, waist beads have been worn to enhance women overall. They were often used to indicate how girls have matured and grown. Waist beads also symbolized womanhood, a woman's progress in life, and the unique things about a woman that set her apart from men. Waist beads would also be worn to honor a woman's sexuality. They influence intimate sex appeal and can provoke sexual desire. Many African women use waist beads as a tool for body shaping. They're used to alert women when their gaining weight or if they're pregnant. Waist beads can serve as an indicator of weight loss and/or weight gain. The waist beads will get lower on your waist if you're losing weight, and become tighter or higher on your waist when you're gaining weight. You do not have to be African to wear waist beads. Waist beads are meant to celebrate femininity. The historical and traditional culture of African waist beads gives a greater understanding of the purpose of the beads. My Exotic Waist Beads have their own modern touch. My waist beads can either be worn for traditional reasons or simply for fashion. Make a statement by enhancing your look with this exotic form of jewelry.