What are waist beads?

Waist beads are a type of jewelry worn around the waist or hips—typically made of glass, plastic, gems and crystals.

Waist beads are strung on elastic, cotton, twine or wire and are often referred to as beaded waist chains and belly beads.

Waist beads are traditional, mainly used in African cultures. They are used as a form of body adornment & can be served as means for communicating social status, wealth, weight loss and fertility.

The practice of wearing waist beads has passed down from generation to generation and is now used for women to connect with their cultural traditions and ancestry.