Is Waist Bead Fashion Or Juju?

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 and may also include decorative stones, crystals, or charms.

Waist beads have been worn for centuries by women in many West African cultures with its history and popularity originating from the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria. Then, they were worn as symbols of womanhood, fertility, passage of rites, protection and spirituality. Now, in both Africa and the United States, women use waist beads for aesthetic and practical purposes.

Sometimes, beads are worn as a status symbol when they are outside the clothes. When worn inside the clothes or without clothes, they are symbols to a husband or lover. During Ghanaian naming ceremonies, babies are typically adorned with waist beads, while young adults also wear beads around their waists and on their hips during puberty rites as a portrayal of femininity. These beads are believed to possess the power to attract as well as evoke deep emotional responses.

Many women will tell you that they use their waist beads to shape their waist. It is believed that the practice of wearing multiple waist beads over time will help to keep the waist small and accentuate the hips. Since traditional waist beads are strung on cotton cord (and without a clasp/hook) they can be a good tool to measure weight gain and loss. They will not stretch; they will either break or continue to roll up the waist when weight has been gained. Similarly, they will roll down or eventually become so loose they will fall off when weight has been lost.
Don’t be fooled by photos of only slender women wearing waist beads. Women of all shapes and sizes can confidently adorn themselves with waist beads as well. Since beads are traditionally worn along your panty or bikini line and not your actual waist, it allows for all women to comfortably wear it no matter their size.

Some people believe that waist beads are charmed and possess voodoo/ juju to lure men to women. This is because some cultures add unique and special oils and charms to the making of the bead, and these things give extra and additional powers to attract men. It can also be said that the powers ward off evil spirits or heal sicknesses depending on the ailment or what needs to be enhanced. Christian beliefs also do not align with the school of thought of using traditional or fetish means to lure men or heal sicknesses.