User:Sydnit2/Waist beads

Waist beads are a piece of jewelry worn around the waist or hip area. Originating in Africa, waist beads are traditionally worn by women as a symbol of waist size, beauty, sexuality, femininity, fertility, well-being, and maturity.

Commonly made of glass, metal, crystals, gemstones, charms, wooden beads, or plastic beads, waist beads are typically strung on a cotton thread, twine, thread, wire, clear cord, or elastic cord. The colors and materials used may have symbolic, cultural, or personal significance to the wearer.

Different cultures often have ceremonies women as them come of age and are given their beads. The culture or beliefs of the wearer determines when the beads are worn or taken off. Waist beads can also be used for health tracking such as weight loss. More modern uses of waist beads tend to be for fashion or as an accessory although some women still wear them for cultural purposes.

Origins[edit]
Waist beads originated in Egypt, where they were called girdles. Egyptians wore them around their waist or lower waist. Girdles were a symbol of status and were made of chains, wire, thread, and shells, and contained multiple colors. Today, people from many African cultures wear waist beads, including Ghanaians, Senegalese, Yorubas, Igbos, Ewes, Ashantis, Krobos, and Ga-Adanbes. Each culture has its own reason for wearing them. Waist beads are commonly given around the time a young women go through puberty throughout most of the African cultures that wear waist beads.

Ghanaian culture
In Ghanaian culture, women begin to wear waist beads due to aging and orders from their mothers. Beads are a rite of passage during puberty which is associated with fertility and marriage in Ghanaian culture. This symbolizes maturity and the beginning of womanhood. Dipo is the initiation ceremony that is held for a young woman. Beads are worn on the neck, ankles, and waist. They often are worn on the waist to represent luck. The waist beads are commonly made of seeds, seashells, glass pieces, teeth, ivory, and stones, and are often hand-painted. The bigger the beads are the more mature the woman is sexually. Today, they are used as a fashion statement.

Yoruba
The Yoruba waist beads are called Ileke, Jigida, and Lagidigba. They are traditionally a piece of jewelry and a piece of their spirituality. Beads are often made from glass, nuts, wood or metal and vary in size and color. Waist beads are a rite of passage in Yoruba because as a young woman outgrows her beads she gets newer ones. These are worn as a symbol of confidence and femininity, fertility, and well-being. They are worn for posture, beauty, weight tracking, protection, growth, sexual and desire. Waist beads can represent royalty and social standing because of the price and quality of the beads. Women of royalty usually wear more expensive and rare beads to distinguish themselves from others.

Production[edit]
Traditionally when making waist beads, the first step is defining purpose. The purpose of the beads help determine the materials, colors and sizes of the beads. Next, waist or hip measurements are taken and the string is cut to size accordingly. Before adding beads a clasp is added to the end of the string so that the beads can be easily put on. On the opposite end of the string chain loops are added to connect the clasp. Then bead colors and materials are then chosen. The designer can then chose the pattern the beads will follow and add them to the string. Lastly, the waist beads are sealed either with a clamp, a tight knot, a crimp lock, or may be burned together firmly. Then the waist beads are ready for wearing.

Due to recent popularity many small businesses and shops now sell waist beads.

Purpose[edit]
The purpose and meaning of waist beads are individual to the wearer, but may represent personal beliefs or cultural heritage, often expressed through the choice of colours and materials. In many cultures the purpose of waist beads is to signify the beginning of womanhood and to represent fertility. Waist beads are often given to a young woman by her mother to represent her transition into woman hood and her sexuality. Each culture's beliefs determine whether the beads are only purposed to be seen by the woman husband or not. In some cultures there is a sexual aspect to the beads believing they help attract their pattern. Waist beads are also believed to help develop a woman's curves and slim their waist because they don't stretch.

Gemstones and Crystals[edit]
Gemstones and crystals come from the earth's surface. Many believe there are healing properties and other properties that can be obtained from their materials. Gem stones and crystals have been used in Africa for many years. They were used as sacred and precious minerals to be used for spiritual purposes. Africa has huge amounts of natural crystals and gemstones and Africans have been using them in spiritual practices for years.