WAISTBEAD HISTORY
WAISTBEAD HISTORY
Waist beads are the exquisite adornments tied to empowering women, and celebrating rich culture
While it is difficult to confirm exactly when people began wearing waist beads, multiple sources have tied them back to ancient African (most notably West African) as well as Egyptian cultures -- dating back as far as the 15th century.
waist bead is an ancient African technology; all at once adornment, a waist and weight management tool, an ancient scale and a mindfulness tool, waist beads are worn In Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, and other West African countries, waist beads are a symbol of femininity, fertility, healing sensuality, sexuality and spiritual well-being, wealth, protection body-shaping, and celebration of womanhood. Today, in both Africa and the United States, women use waist beads for aesthetic and practical purposes.
Waist beads are a traditional African accessory that consist of small glass beads on a string or wire worn around the waist or hips. They come in different colors and shapes.mor charms.
In more recent years they’ve gained popularity among women in the West. They’re also referred to as belly beads, waistline beads, or beaded waist chains.
In many traditional ceremonies such as weddings, coronations and more, beads are presented and worn by males and females alike.
It is usually worn as an adornment of the waist. These days, it is more widely used by people from all walks of life.
Certain ethnic groups also have rituals connected to waist beads. Krobo people participate in annual Dipo ceremonies where adolescent girls are initiated into adulthood, also known as a "rites of passage." During this huge celebration, women are adorned in vibrant, colorful waist beads and paraded through the streets.
In addition to rituals tied to waist beads, some of the benefits of wearing waist beads is weight management.
Waist beads are commonly used to gauge changes in weight. Rather than to step on a scale, people can use waist beads to stay aware of any weight gain or loss in the abdomen.
Traditional waist beads don’t stretch. If you were to gain weight, the beads will sit higher on the waist or feel tight. Conversely, if you were to lose weight, the beads will feel loose and fall further down to the hips. wearing waistbeads tell a story in real-time, that waist beads rise and fall like the numbers on a scale so that you know when you are gaining or losing weight. You will not have to wait months to get a true picture of what is happening day to day. Naturally your beads will fall, but you want to put them back where originally tied to see if they have loosened or have gotten tighter.
Unlike the numbers on a scale, waist beads are more compatible with body positivity. Women of all sizes and shapes can comfortably wear waist beads to adorn their body.
There are even adjustable waist beads that are measured and worn with clasp available if you don’t want the beads to fit differently based on your weight or changes like bloating.
there are several misconceptions and myths associated with them as well.
One of the most common misconceptions is that waist beads can only be worn by women of African origin and the misconception that women of non-African origin are committing acts of cultural appropriation, Waist beads are designed to be worn by women of all shapes, sizes and races. If you want to wear our waist beads, you should feel comfortable wearing our waist beads.
wearers of non-African descent have a unique and beautiful opportunity to experience the powerful magic of this traditional tool and then share both its origins and impact with people who might not otherwise be knowledgeable.
waistbeads ARE your super power
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waistbeads ARE your super power 〰️
Heritage and pride
While women of all races and ethnicities wear waist beads, this accessory has unmistakably African origins. Waist beads are a popular way for Black women in the diaspora to connect to their ancestors and celebrate their heritage and cultural practices.
Today, the usage of waist beads by Black and Brown women in the West has evolved into a cultural tradition of its very own, one that reflects the diasporic experience.
Many women in the diaspora don’t have direct knowledge of their West African lineage due to the transatlantic slave trade. Reclaiming waist beads also means Black women can reclaim the opportunity to walk in their ancestors’ footsteps. The beads are a constant physical reminder that heritage is never as far away as you may think, and it’s up for personal interpretation.
waistbeads ARE your super power
〰️
waistbeads ARE your super power 〰️
What are the meanings of the colors and stones?
There are a lot of styles, colors, and materials to choose from. Your waist beads can be rich with symbolism if you so choose. Each color and stone is associated with a specific meaning:
Color meanings
Blue: healing, harmony, insight, truth
Brown: earth, stability
Green: prosperity, fertility, abundance, hope, healing
Purple: spirituality, wisdom, royalty
Red: vitality, passion, bravery, confidence
White: light, truth, purity
Yellow: wisdom, clarity, awareness, energy, joy
Stone and charm meanings
Evil eye: protection against negativity
Green aventurine: luck, prosperity, wealth
Hamsa: protection against evil or bad luck
Lapis lazuli: peace, wisdom, truth, insight
Quartz: clarity, amplifies other crystals
Rose quartz: love, compassion, healing