Mysteries that surround waist beads and why women love them...

For many African women, wearing beads is a way of life and a culture passed on to them from their mothers. They grow up to find them on their waists even before they begin to question their significance.

The waist bead is like a band worn around the belly. In most cultures, they are a symbol of a woman’s confidence in her body and sexuality.

For me, they are precious African Jewels. In West Africa, waist beads are always worn under clothing and have several names: Jel-Jelli, Jigeda, Giri-Giri, Djalay Djalay, Toma or Yomba.

Beads found in Ghana include glass beads, stone beads, crystal beads, ceramic beads, Adinkra beads, and the ‘Ahoofe’ (beauty) beads. The tradition of wearing of beads on the waist in West Africa was made popular by the Yorubas in Nigeria. Women are the main users of these beads.

But do you know the mysterious role they play in the lives of females?


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