Strings of Femininity, Fertility, Sensuality and Spiritual Wellbeing
By Myra Trudea Okumu
Someone asked me why I always put a by-line when you all already know that I wrote it. Well lovies, if I don't put that line, my grandfather ignores the blog post because he says he doesn't know who wrote the article. A bit dramatic but it did the trick and that trick did wonders. Back to the blog post, strings of femininity, fertility, sensuality and spiritual well being. in short, waist beads.
Waistbeads
There was a recent thread on Twitter Malawi about what people thought about waist beads and while some brought up thoughts on what these beads actually symbolize, many turned to sexualize them and connected them to prostitution. A bit harsh if you ask me, and it showed, of course, the conversation that goes around about accessories meant for the African woman.
Waistbeads are a traditional African accessory that consists of beads, seeds, crystal stones and other ornaments on a string that are worn around the waist or hips. Though popular in western cultures, waist beads are found all over Africa and have since migrated to countries outside the continent. In Malawi, waist beads are termed 'mikanda' and are popular among the Lomwe.
Instead of taking the barbaric approach and just hacking at the myths and misconceptions around these beautiful and colorful strings, let us just delve into the uses of waist beads, the real uses of waist beads.
1. Contraception
Yes, and yes, waist beads are used for contraception in two ways. Way number one, waist beads are not just made of beads like the name states. In the old days, waist beads were also made of seeds that synthesized chemicals that prevented pregnancies. As long as a woman was wearing these seeds (beads), she would not conceive. Way number two, beads are used to calculate fertile days in the menstrual calendar and women generally avoid having sex during this period of fertility or have more sex?
2. Menstrual tracker.
The typical and average length of a menstrual cycle is 28 days give or take. More than just knowing when they are most likely to conceive, waist beads are also used by women to track their period. How? The string is adorned with beads of different colours, each colour symbolises a stage in the cycle. For example, days1 to 5 are for menstruating so you align 5 red beads, for 5 days after you have safe days so you align 5 green beads after, from day 11- day 18 you have fertile days and you align those days with those numbers of beads and so on and so forth.
3. Puberty tracker
In those days, when a baby girl is born they were given waist beads and tightening of the waist beads would show that the girl has grown and entered a new phases of life. Now, we all know that once a girl hits puberty, the hips widen (its not always noticeable but they do! I say this in my defense). The waist beads show that one has hit puberty by the way they fit and of course, you get a new set of waist beads for transitioning into a woman! The waist beads given to you as a baby are not the same as the ones given to you once you hit womanhood!
4. Weight tracker
Waist beads are worn in 3 places: waist line, high hip area and low hip area. If you get waist beads for high hip and suddenly they are somewhere in the waistline, you have gained some weight. If the high hip waist beads are suddenly hanging low, you have shed a few pounds. In this sense, waist beads are used to track weight gain or weight loss. I mean, who needs a scale when you have these beauties telling you all you need to know?
5. Sexuality
Men gift their ladies waist beads because they find them appealing. Women wear waist beads because its a confidence booster. I mean, strings of colorful beads blending into the melanin of your skin and just sitting beautifully on your waist? Count me in. I know plenty of women who wear waist beads for themselves, women who wear them because they like the spirit of confidence the beads offer. They feel sexy and they feel mighty fine.
In some countries, women add bells and wear larger beads so that they jingle when they walk and tell the men around they are fertile and ready to mingle. I personally am thrilled at the concept of women just flaunting their sexuality like that. Confidently letting the men know they are on the market and can be approached by suitors.
Now I know there are some men (and women) out there who would still look at the waist beads with some negativity, with some even calling them slutty and unsophisticated. Thats your opinion and that's alright. We will continue to wear these strings of feminity and find pride in the confidence they make us feel. I once heard one say they are charms and such women should be avoided, we could honestly do with a little more fear. Waist beads are African, hand made and beautiful, there is nothing remotely shameful about putting on waist beads and I think they should be should be celebrated and accepted more. Plus, I hear they help shape your behind!
As always, the follow button is at the top for those that haven't followed yet. Comment your thoughts, questions, anything related to this blog or this specific blog post. Links for the sites I used for my teeny weensy research are below. Stay safe, this pandemic is not letting up!
https://www.faceofmalawi.com/2015/08/06/reasons-women-wear-waist-beads-chikopamwamuna/
https://malawiheadwraps.com/products/malawi-day-waist-beads
An eye opener. Will get some.
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