Remember waist beads? They are back!!!

Back as a modern day fashion statement in many parts of Africa. And boy are they all the craze.

In Ghana, they are even more popular...as a new generation of Ghanaians are rediscovering their heritage -- and rediscovering the appeal of traditional beads. Many Ghanaians used to associate beads with an old-fashioned coming-of-age ritual for girls. But not anymore.

I remember as a young child, I used to wear beads and I had a few friends who did, even my aunty wore the waist beads and they were sexy....all of a sudden I stopped wearing them thinking there were rather archaic, but as a local market trader in Ghana puts it, the bead revival is a sign that young Africans are experiencing what she called "sankofa." "There's a culture of 'sankofa:' Go back and retrieve what you've left behind," said bead-shop owner Ernestina Anafu.

I am part of that sankofa generation as waist beads have a whole new meaning to me now; a wonderful way for women to feel more feminine and beautiful.

Traditionally worn under clothes by African women, waist beads have several different meanings.

Ranging from rites of passage, to enticing your husband to healing and rejuvenation. The art of adorning ones self has been practiced since the beginning of time. In Egypt, waist beads were called “girdles”. All the women wore them and it was a uniform for pre-pubescent girls with out any sexual connotation. But usually servants or dancers wore them and are shown in wall relief’s wearing them and nothing else!

In West Africa, waist beads have several names.; Jel-Jelli, Jigeda, Giri-Giri, Djalay Djalay or Yomba. They’re always worn under clothes. In Ghana women knew that waist beads helped form their body into a particular shape and adult women wear beads to sexually stimulate the male. In other parts of West Africa, women would wear waist beads with bells on them, and when they walked it would make a jingling noise. Dipping them in oil scented the beads.

When you add stones, waist beads take on healing qualities. Depending on ailment or what needs to be enhanced (i.e. love, physic powers, balancing), various semi-precious stones can be included in the design of your waist beads.

It’s only now in modern times, that waist beads are becoming more visible. Pants are getting lower and lower, and women are showing more skin than ever. So why not adorn this blank canvas with beautiful beads. But if showing your stomach is not for you, it’s still all good. You can take glee in knowing that you are wearing something special and beautiful. Its like when women buy fancy lingerie; you wear them under your clothes for you or who you would like to see them. Waist beads are exactly the same!

Photo Credit: Sewra Beads

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