FAQs

Waist beads are a traditional body jewelry worn all over Africa. It is believed the oldest evidence of waist bead wearing is in ancient Kemet, known today as Egypt, where the women wore several layers of waist beads called girdles. Today, they can be found in different cultures across West, East, South, Central and even North Africa.

Waist beads have acquired many uses and meanings over time. In some cultures, they are worn to track the physical growth of newborns, to shape the waist of young girls, or as a form of lingerie for women. They symbolize feminine beauty, sensuality, and spiritual protection. For many women today, they can also symbolize the beginning of a wellness, self-love, or body acceptance journey.

You can wear as few or as many waist beads as you feel comfortable in. In some cultures, like the Akan in Ghana, it is a taboo to wear a certain numbers of strands, for example, wearing only 2. In general most people wear 1-3 strands.

Traditionally waist beads are worn along the hips or waist. To tie them on, you simply place them around your waist, decide where you want them to sit, remove the excess beads and tie 3-4 knots around the closure. Once you are sure the beads are secure, cut off the excess string. Be sure not to tie them too loose because they might pinch you! Leave enough room for sitting, bending and bloating.