Introduction

Waist beads which are also known as belly beads, waistline beads, and waist chains are a traditional African accessory made up of small glass beads threaded on a cotton string or elastic and worn around the waist or hips.

They are available in a variety of colors and shapes, and they may also include decorative stones, crystals, or charms. Women in several West African tribes have worn waist beads for generations. But today they've also become a fashion trend amongst western ladies.

What do waist beads represent?

Waist beads are a sign of femininity, fertility, sensuality, and spiritual well-being in West African countries. Women today use them for both aesthetic and practical reasons in both Africa and the rest of the world.

What you didn't know about waist beads

When it comes to waist beads, many tribes and countries have their own beliefs. Here are the most popular ones practiced in West Africa:

1.  Many state that their origins may be traced back to ancient Egypt, when they were known as "girdles" and were worn by ladies as a status symbol.

2.  According to a Ghanaian pharmacist and entrepreneur. Waist beads might also prolong life of men as it induces natural arouse in them.

3. Babies are frequently adorned with white waist beads, representing purity, during Ghanaian naming ceremonies, while young adults wear beads around their waists and around their hips as a representation of femininity throughout puberty rites.

4. It is advised to hide waist beads from the eyes of strangers as only your partner is supposed to see and touch them.

5. Lastly, it is advised to always wear an odd number of waist beads as an even number brings bad luck