A Guide to Wearing Waist Beads: History, Benefits, and Fashion

The cultural significance of waist beads and advice on how to wear this special jewelry today

Co-authored by Madeleine Flamiano

Last Updated: February 24, 2023 References

Origins

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Reasons to Wear Waist Beads

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How to Tie Waist Beads

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Symbolism

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Where to Buy

Waist beads are a beautiful and sacred tool to honor yourself as well as ancient traditions. They can be worn all day as "accountability beads" to remind you to cherish your body as a divine vessel or on one juicy evening of fun when you want a magical touch for your ensemble. Here, we'll discuss the symbolism of waist beads and how to adorn yourself with them. Review this brief guide on waist beads to learn how they'll help you shine.

Things You Should Know

Waist beads originated in Africa and the Caribbean thousands of years ago and were worn to display status, beauty, and power.
People wear waist beads for physical reasons like tracking weight, or spiritual ones like drawing in luck, to decide what to manifest.
Decide where you'd like your waist beads to sit and what your intention is for them before you tie them onto yourself.
Buy your waist beads from Black Owned Businesses to respect the descendants of the original creators.

Section 1 of 5:

Origins

Waist beads were worn in Africa and the Caribbean thousands of years ago. The tradition may have started in ancient Egypt when women wore waist beads, or "girdles," as a status symbol. These beautiful adornments then became popularized in West Africa, where the Yoruban tribe of Nigeria displayed waist beads to celebrate femininity and spirituality.^{[1]
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Section 2 of 5:

Reasons to Wear Waist Beads

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Waist beads are connected to many cultural rites and customs. In Ghanaian cultures, such as within the Ashanti and Krobo tribes, waist beads are worn as a milestone when a young woman comes of age. Once she’s prepared to take on a partner, she may add larger beads or bells to attract suitors. There are many other reasons waist beads are significant throughout the African diaspora—African communities around the world.^{[2]
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- Girls wear waist beads in Ghananian “Dipo” ceremonies for their public unveiling.^{[3]
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- Yorubian women wear additional waist beads to celebrate their marriages.^{[4]
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- Some women in many West African tribes swap out older waist beads for newer ones to symbolize a transformative phase, like transitioning out of puberty.^{[5]
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Some wear waist beads for spiritual properties associated with them. In some African societies, like within Ghanaian tribes, waist beads are believed to carry energy. Families even pass them down as heirlooms so women who wear them can tap into ancestral wisdom. Many African cultures also bless or charm waist beads for various purposes, such as:^{[6]
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- Achieving spiritual healing
- Promoting peace and balance
- Protecting the heart, body, and spirit
- Bringing in good luck
- Soothing pain, like muscle or menstrual cramps
- Boosting fertility and reproductive health
- Setting an intention, like, "I connect to my divine feminine energy."
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Many display waist beads to celebrate their feminine beauty. While these adornments have ancient roots, waist beads are still fashionable today. When you tie them on, you instantly accentuate your curves and radiate sensuality. With this added allure, you’ll likely experience a boost in confidence and hold your head up high.^{[7]
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- If you're seeking a partner, waist beads can signal that you're ready for romance.
- Waist beads may also increase your libido and your desire for intimacy.^{[8]
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Others tie on waist beads to benefit from weight awareness. As an alternative to using a scale, waist beads offer an empowering and body positive way to track your weight. If they're tight around your abdomen, you might've gained weight. When they slide down your waist, it’s a sign you’ve lost weight. Whether they move or stay in place, waist beads are a wonderful tool to gently tell you if your (always gorgeous) body has fluctuated.^{[9]
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Section 3 of 5:

How to Tie Waist Beads

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Wrap your string of waist beads loosely around your waist. Cross both ends of the string over each other. When you wrap the 2 ends around your waist, leave about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of wiggle room.^{[10]
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Choose which part of your body to decorate with your waist beads. To wear your waist beads as "accountability beads" that help you track your weight, plan to tie them around your waistline. If you'd like to manifest your dreams, secure your waist beads at your high hip so they hang over your womb or feminine center, the source of creation.^{[11]
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- To track weight loss, wear your waist beads over your belly button so you can easily see when they fall down toward your hips.
- ”Accountability beads” won’t bend or stretch. If you’ve gained weight, they may roll up or even break.
- If you just want to accessorize yourself, choose your high waist, waistline, high hip, or hip line.
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Shift the waist beads until you’ve filled any blank spaces. If you need more beads, uncross the strings. Then, fill the spaces on the ends of the string you’ll need for your waist beads with additional beads.^{[12]
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Tie 2 ends of the string together in a double knot. Loop 1 end of the string underneath the other and tug both ends of the string to make a knot. Repeat this process to make a double knot.^{[13]
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- Make sure the knot has beads on either side of it so there aren’t any gaps in your waist beads.
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Cut off both ends of excess string. Be careful not to snip the knot itself. Throw away the shorter piece of excess string, which won’t have any beads on it. Keep the longer piece, which will look like a strand of additional beads.^{[14]
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- Pull your waist beads about 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) away from your skin and carefully burn off the frayed string on your knot with a lighter.
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Adjust your waist beads so the knot is behind you. Slide your waist beads around and reposition them so the knot rests on your back. With the knot hidden away, show off all the beautiful colors of your waist beads, hold your head up high, and glow like the gorgeous and powerful being you are.^{[15]
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- If your waist beads aren't meant to be permanently worn, store them in a safe place—like a keepsake box—to keep them in good condition.

Section 4 of 5:

Symbolism

The various colors on waist beads carry special meanings. Whether you bead your own waist beads and come up with your own unique symbolism or purchase them from an African, Caribbean, or Black vendor, check out this guide as inspiration:^{[16]
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- Red: Passion
- Orange: Courage
- Yellow: Joy
- Green: Abundance
- Blue: Healing
- Purple: Wisdom
- Brown: Stability
- Black: Power
- Gold: Wealth
- White: Light

Section 5 of 5:

Where to Buy

Buy waist beads from Black owned shops to honor sacred traditions. Since it's important to respect other cultures, purchase waist beads from artists and vendors who are associated with the areas where these beautiful adornments originate from. Steer clear of mass-produced waist beads from wholesalers that aren't connected with makers who have African or Caribbean roots.^{[17]
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- Black Owned Businesses