Historians believe the African tradition of waist beads originated from early Yoruba tribes, now located in Nigeria. The practices are also seen in Ghana, where the beads signify wealth, aristocracy, and femininity. Waist beads are also found in other cultures, and while African and Islamic women typically keep them under wraps, some display the beads over their clothes or while wearing bare midriffs.

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Beads, which are typically worn at all times — even while bathing or sleeping — can serve as symbols of sensuality, fertility, and rites of passage, passed down from mother to daughter. The beading can summon the spirit of Mother Earth to bring great fertility and abundance. Some see them as conveyors of positive energy and healing and some wear them strictly for fashion. More specifically, others choose them for the very practical use of weight control — when your beads are getting a little tight, it’s time to be aware of your diet and habits.