icandi waistbeads

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. They have been worn for centuries by women in many West African cultures. In more recent years they’ve gained popularity among women in the West. Today, in both Africa and the United States, women use waist beads for aesthetic and practical purposes. The history of waist beads dates back to ancient Egypt where they were called “girdles” and were worn by women as a status symbol. In West Africa, the tradition was made popular by the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria. They are worn as a celebration of womanhood - rites of passage, sexuality, femininity, fertility, healing, spirituality, body shaping, protection and wealth. Most of icandi's waist beads are imported from Ghana, which also has a rich tradition of wearing waist beads. It is common for women in Ghana to w