My grandma, when I was a child, strung homemade beads around my waist. She said that it was effective in enhancing the development of a girl’s hips and thighs. Wearing it was fun because the jingling sounds it made as it swung from my waist with each stride encouraged me to keep moving. African waist beads were a novelty to me at the time, and I foolishly believed in their curative powers.
I trusted my granny so much that I wore the one she gave me until the waist no longer fit. My grandmother always told me that wearing a belt around my waist would make me look more feminine as an adult, so I wore one all the time when I was a kid. Oh, well, what did I expect?
I wore the one my grandmother gave me until I outgrew it, and then I had my mother purchase me another one since I had learned as a little girl that this traditional African item was very helpful to ladies. In this piece, I’ll explain why African waist beads are so helpful. Like some people’s misconceptions about anklets, your opinion of this accessory may change after reading this post.
It’s a pretty accessory that works for women of various shapes and sizes. It’s no secret that some ladies just wear this item for the sake of seeming modern and alluring. Of course, these are only some of the advantages of African waist beads. Here are some of them:
One, a level of maturity
In Africa, a beaded belt around the waist is worn as a sign of adulthood. In some African cultures, the onset of menstruation is marked by the tying of a string of beads around the waist of a young girl.
During naming ceremonies, some Africans often wrap a string of baby beads around their waist. When infants outgrow it, it’s a sign that they’ve moved on to the next stage. This reminds me of the analogy I used to explain the present my grandmother gave me. My inability to wear them anymore was a sign that I was no longer a little girl who would become entranced by the jingling of a string of beads at her waist. I was, rather, coming into my own as a woman.
Sources of Income
People who make and sell this accessory have found it profitable. Bead makers, retailers, models, photographers, and even authors have all found work thanks to the demand for traditional African waist beads. People get curious in the ornament as news of its rising popularity and subsequent controversy spreads. It’s true that not everyone would be willing to admit this to themselves.
Thinking About Your Weight
If you don’t want to constantly weigh yourself, you can instead use these beads to track your progress. Due to its lack of elasticity, it will become increasingly uncomfortable as your waist expands with weight gain. However, if you reduce your weight, the beads will become more comfortable.
In addition, if you don’t want the size of your beads to alter as you lose or gain weight, you can select a model that can be adjusted accordingly.
Furthermore, that’s not all. Being conscious of one’s stomach and seating position is also helpful. It might remind you to stand up straight and strengthen your abdominal muscles while you’re sitting.
Increases Desire and Pleasure in Sexual Activity
Among the many advantages of African waist beads, this is one of the most common. Some men used to stare in awe whenever a woman’s beads accidentally peeked out from under her clothing.
The addition of this accessory, which enhances the waist, makes a woman more sexually alluring. Waist beads may not be appreciated by all males, but there’s no denying that just seeing them on a woman’s waist can set off a whole host of distinct mental associations. Women use this knowledge to their advantage by using their beads to woo their lovers sexually.
As an added bonus, it also has an impact on the act of making love. A friend once boasted that the sounds made by this attachment while he savored his spouse were enough to treble their desire. Some people like to play with the beads during foreplay to make the experience last longer. Together, these factors ensure not only sexual attraction, but also satisfaction.
5. Charm
These days, a lot of ladies use it as a fashion accessory. Because they are always eye-catching and vibrant in color, they can be worn as a kind of adornment, much like a necklace, bracelet, watch, or earring. If a dancer wears waist beads with a crop top and a bum short, for instance, her body appears more attractive and lithe.
The Sixth: Our Roots
Diaspora black women wear it to honor their ancestry and maintain cultural continuity. This piece of jewelry will help them feel more ‘at home,’ especially since they do not know enough about their African ancestry as a result of the slave trade.
Guidelines for Putting on a Belt of Beads:
This accessory can be worn with minimal effort. Some have a clasp at one end, so you can just wrap it around your waist and secure it with the beads. Others have a string that can be easily adjusted to fit around your waist. Permanent ones exist, though, and they are neither elastic nor do they have any kind of closures. In other words, once you put them on, you’re stuck with them unless you break or cut them. It’s much appreciated.
