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Our Heritage
Understanding the History
Waist beads are seen as a symbol of divine femininity, celebration, aristocracy, a hidden as a way of self-care and confidence, and intimate appeal. There are many reasons why waist beads were, and still are, an intricate aspect of African, and now American, culture.
A Symbol of Femininity and Sensuality
Some like to call them “colorful strands of femininity.” These handmade strands are made by women for women of all body types and sizes. Traditional Ghanaian culture wears waist beads to specifically signify femininity as well as wealth and practical usage such as an anchor for a menstrual cloth. For some women they would wear their beads under their clothes – which only allowed their lover to see them as a meaning of sanctity and purity between the two. For some, the beads are a means of seduction to provoke desire. Sometimes, wives would use the rattling of the beads to communicate their fertility.
Rites of Passage & Symbols of Growth
Waist beads are also considered a rite of passage. Mothers would ornament their daughters with beads during their first menstruation as a ceremonial rite of passage into womanhood. Each time new waist beads were inherited, it symbolized a healthy life, growth, and maturity.
Measurements and Body Shaping
In traditional and modern times, women will wear waist beads to get and keep their bodies in their most flattering form. It is said that the beads shape your body and keep the waist small, which accentuates the hips. The traditional way of using the waistbeads as a measuring tool, is still in active use of today. The beads dare not traditionally made to stretch, so tightening is an indication sign of internal body changes or weight fluctuation.
The Formation of The Beads
In a traditional sense, the person making your waist beads is a highly spiritual person. The beads, shells, stones, and other things that go on your waist are picked and placed with the intention of something very specific. The beads a woman wears for her partner will be vastly different from the set a young girl wears from her transition into womanhood. The trend of waist beads has become very modernized and ornamental.
Honoring the traditional ways, creates the potency and power of a woman’s beads to create her own magic and confidence that always existed within themselves.
Colors & Meaning
Colors and Meaning Speaking of intention, the colors of the beads also have very specific significations. These meanings may vary from tribe to tribe, culture to culture, and they’re open to interpretation, but traditionally:
Black – Power, Strength, and protection
Blue – serenity, knowledge, wealth, dedication, healing, peace, faith, Loyalty, and truth. Harmony; a cooling color symbolizing faith, devotion, deep insight.
Brown – Earth and stability
Gold – Good health, power, and wealth
Purple – Royalty, spirituality, and wisdom
Green – Abundance, optimism, hope, healing, generosity, wealth, fertility, nature, and prosperity
White – Light, sincerity, truth, and purity
Orange – Courage, self-confidence, boldness, and vitality
Yellow – Energy, joy, happiness, wisdom, knowledge, clarity, increasing awareness, understanding and calming nerves.
Pink – Care, beauty, love, and kindness
Red – boldness, confidence, confidence, self-confidence, vitality, sexual energy, passion, courage.
Turquoise – Communication and self-awareness.
Origin of the Beads
The exact origin of beads is a hotly debated topic. However, archaeologists have confirmed that the craft of bead making, especially in Ghana, goes back thousands of years.
So, what do people use beads for in Ghana?
- Celebrations and festivals
- Artistic expression
- Spiritual object
- Fashion statement
- Trading currency
"From the 16th century, ships bound for Africa and the Americas would load up with huge quantities of trade beads. On the outbound trip, they would act as ballast, and on arrival would be used to barter for spices, fabrics, precious metals and even slaves,".
"Many were Venetian, including glass chevron beads and millefiori. These beads are now sought-after collectors' items.
Waist beads can even be traced back to ancient Egypt.
Ghanaian Beads in the Modern Era
Over the past decades, many locals began to consider beads as slightly old-fashioned.
Luckily, their popularity is growing again. More attention has been spread amongst the elite collectors, jewelry makers, along with anyone who loves and appreciates their captivating beauty, in and out of Africa.
*The history and heritage of Ghanaian beads are also protected by the Ghana Beads Society. The first of its kind in Africa, the society is dedicated to recording, preserving, and promoting the culture of Ghanaian beads.*