Ghanaian Waist Beads-More than a Fashion Statement

Waist beads are a type of jewellery worn around the waist or on the hips originating from West Africa. Waist beads are traditionally worn by women as a symbol of beauty, femininity, fertility, well-being or maturity. Waist beads actually originated in ancient Egypt, where they were known as girdles. Egyptians wore them around their waist or lower abdomen. Girdles were symbols of status and were made of chains, wire, thread, and shells, and often featured multiple colors. Hieroglyphs depict dancers adorned with braids and waist beads. Cultures that traditionally utilize waist beads include the Egyptian culture, Ghana, Yoruba, Ewe, Ashanti,...