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Waist beads, fetish  or fashion?

Waist beads, fetish  or fashion?

By Damilola Origbemisuyi & Oluwapelumi Adeniyi
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Waist beads are traditional ornaments worn around the waist. They are made up of beads, string, wire and most times decorative stones. It is also known as ileke idi or jigida in Nigeria and  other parts of the world.

Waist beads also known as belly chains have been with us in the  Southwest Nigeria. Commonly called ‘ileke idi’ in Yoruba, it adorned women’s backside across ages. From newborns to teenagers and even grey heads.

The culture of adorning waists with beads probably began in 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 Yorubas who wore beads for various reasons. Some  personal, while some traditional.

There’s no certain history to tell the beginning of the existence of waist beads, but all accounts on the history of waist beads have two things in common: the origin of waist beads which is Africa and its usage dating as far back as the 15th century and beyond.

A group of scholars are of the belief that the history of waist beads began in ancient Egypt where it was a symbol of status for women. Waist beads were simply called “girdles” then.

While another set of Historians believe the usage of waist beads might have originated from the Yoruba tribe majorly found in present day Nigeria, West Africa. The origin of waist beads is also linked to other West African countries like Ghana and Senegal. Not forgetting the belly dancers in Eastern cultures too, the only difference between the Eastern belly dancers and the African wearer of a waist bead is that the African prefers to keep them under wraps, while the belly dancers keep theirs over their clothes.

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Waist beads have penetrated into more places and cultures  of recent and two of the major reasons for its modern popularity is the sense of confidence and the feel of sexiness it provides to many women. Though some men do wear it too, while some prefer their wives to wear it.

Ladies that wear waist beads are generally referred to as wayward or fetish. Reverse is the case decades ago. Women who wear waist beads today do so for different reasons some of which serves as effective gauge to check your body weight due to the fact that it doesn’t stretch. There are two ways to use waist beads to check your weight effectively. Each way is applicable to the two types of waist beads –adjustable and non adjustable waist beads. Using the adjustable waist beads, you put it round your waist and lock it, if it begins to tighten with time, it means you’ve gained weight.

For the non adjustable variant: when fixed to your waist in its exact size, if it sits down to the hips after some time, that means you’ve lost weight and if you’ve gained weight it’ll feel tight or move higher on the waist.

Waist beads are also worn in Africa as a symbol of femininity and sexual appeal. Many men admit to be sexually aroused when a lady puts on waist beads, especially a naked lady. The reason for this sexual attraction is because the  beads on the waist draw attention to the hips, buttocks and thighs of the wearer. This leads to imaginations and eventually a sexual urge. George Odigie says “I love it when my woman puts it on, especially if she decides to walk around naked.”

For people who have had sex with partners who use waist beads, the pleasure it provides as the beads hit themselves and make a weird sound during sex is a moment they relive anytime they see their partner in waist beads. Alessandra Nneoma agreed to this, in her words “ waist beads are very sexy during sex especially when it is doggy.”

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Some of the Yoruba people in Nigeria follow a culture that forbids a married woman from showing her waist beads to the opposite gender, this is because if shown, the male may build up sexual imaginations of her. To them, it is similar to a special variety of lingerie. In summary, waist beads create a special rhythm during sex.

Most people love waist beads for their artistic look and the beauty they give. The beauty and art importance of waist beads are growing and that is why most of the waist beads you find out there are multicoloured. Whether worn inside or outside, it still enhances beauty.

Like the Ibibio Royal Family who wear waist beads to show status, many other cultures use waist beads to show class and status.

Though not proven, many believe it keeps negative enegry and spirits away. Some also believe it protects women from killers and rapists.

Take it or leave it, waist beads have provided paid jobs, direct or indirect, for people who are involved in the bead making process. From the bead makers to the distributors, there’s an economy made from it. Though, no studies have shown how much the waist beads industry is worth yet.

Speaking with The Hope, some people gave their perspective about the use of waist bead.

Mr Olaoye Charles said that he used to have the perspective that waist beads are wore by people who are into voodoo and are used for protection. In his words: ” then,  I thought  that waist beads were being used as a kind of protective charms especially for females who were slut to protect themselves from anyone who wanted to charm  them during sex. But later, I discovered that some merely used it to reduce their weight, while some used it for fashion, it depends on individual”.

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Miss Janet Arole, while giving her opinion said  she loves waist bead but couldn’t wear it  because African mothers believe that it is demonic and that its mostly used by  Mammy Water.

 Miss Oluwanifemi Adedara  in her opinion said she believed waist bead is used for weight loss and reduction of pot bellies. She also said that some use  it for fashion. She further said, “I use waist beads to check if my stomach is getting bigger or smaller. Though some  use it for diabolic means, but personally, I use it for weight checking and fashion”.

In her contribution, Miss Akinrotimi Mayokun,  said waist bead is used to beautify the waist  and it also serves as  waist trainer.

Mr Beloved Adeniyi opined that he loves seeing beads on ladies. “I love seeing waist bead on girls, though, I can’t force my girl to wear it”   He went further to say “I don’t know if it is because of the way I was brought up and my environment, but I see nothing wrong in a lady wearing waist beads. I merely see it as  an ornament which is used to adore  the waist”.

Sharing a different view, Mr Peter Akinloluwa said he totally dislike the use of waist beads. He said, “I don’t know if it is because of my childhood  mindset, but I have the strong belief  that any lady who use waist bead is demonic. Instead of wearing beads on the waist, I prefer ladies should wear it on their hands and necks.

Origbemisuyi and Adeniyi are interns with The Hope.

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Waist beads, fetish  or fashion?

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Waist beads, fetish  or fashion?

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