![]() Some say waist beads help define a woman’s waist and also leave a lot to the imagination during intimacy. ![]() This then explains the negativity that is associated with waist beads. Some of these beads which are believed to be charmed are said to possess powers to lure men. In Zimbabwe, Tshangani and Tonga women are popularly known for the use of waist beads in their daily lives. I have learnt that waist beads symbolise quite a number of things though most people have grown to just think that one way or the other the wearing of these beads is somehow a sexual thing. They were simply called ‘girdles’ at the time. In fact, many scholars are of the opinion that the history of the waist beads began in ancient Egypt where they were adorned by beautiful women as a status symbol. Historians claim that the existance of African waist beads dates back to the 15th century. In Nigeria, the northern part of the country calls it ji gida while the Yorubas (the people of Southwestern Nigeria) call it b ebedi. Known as “ chuma” in shona, the waist bead bears different names in different tribes. As I grew up I tried to dig and find out the significance, importance and use of the waist beads. Growing up in a christian family waist beads were never and I mean never a part of any conversation.
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