FAQs

What are waist beads?

Waist beads are traditional body jewelry originating in Africa. It is believed the oldest evidence of waist bead wearing is in ancient Kemet, known today as Egypt, where the women wore several layers of waist beads called girdles. Today, they are popular in most West African countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, Senegal, and many others.

 

What are they for?

Waist beads have many uses and meanings. They can also be worn for waist shaping, weight monitoring or just for fashion.  They can also symbolize feminine beauty, sensuality and sexuality; spiritual protection; and body positivity.

 

Where are they made?

All of our waist beads are made by hand in Accra, Ghana. They are authentically African. 

 

How do you wear them?

Waist beads are traditionally worn on the hips along the panty line under your clothes. In fact, in some African countries, it is taboo to have your beads showing in public.

Here in the US, a lot of women prefer to wear them along their natural waist, so that they show when wearing a crop-top or bikini. Other chose to start them high with the goal of losing weight and watching them drop toward their hips. How you decide to wear them is up to you!

 

What size should I buy?

Our waist beads are sized in inches, so you should measure around your waist where you want the beads to sit. When you measure, make sure you leave enough room for breathing, sitting, and bending over (and bloating).

 

Are they adjustable?

Many women in the process of losing weight wear their beads higher on their waist so that they can watch them fall as they drop the pounds. The goal is to get them down to their hips. 

Our tie waist beads come at a standard size and must be adjusted to fit your exact measurement. They can be adjusted down as you lose weight by cutting and re-tying.

The clasp waist beads have a 3-inch extension chain for adjustability.

 

How many should I wear?

 You can wear as few or as many waist beads as you feel comfortable with. Most women wear about 3 strands.

 

Do I take them off?

Traditional waist beads are semi-permanent because they tie on and they can be worn while bathing, swimming, sleeping, etc. Our clasp waist beads can be taken off, but they can also be worn permanently as well.

 

How long do they last?

Everyone who has worn waist beads knows there is a moment when they will eventually pop due to stress and wear, but with proper fit and care, they can last many years. Our beads are made with the best materials to ensure long wear. When you purchase, make sure they are not too tight, so that they do not break when you bend or sit (or after you eat too much). I personally have worn the same set of waist beads for up to 5 years without taking them off.