A: Traditionally the art of adorning oneself with waist beads is an age old African tradition dating back to the 15th century. Some believe that the practice started in Ancient Egypt others believe it started in West Africa. Different regions in Africa wear waist beads for various reasons during different stages in one's life. The reasons range from femininity, sensuality, fertility, weight management/body shaping, status symbol, healing, protection, rights of passage, intimacy/seduction, etc.

A: Modern women wear waist beads for a lot of the traditional reasons stated above especially femininity, healing, protection, weight managment, and sensuality. Some women wear them solely for decorative adornment purposes, others wear them because they are a confidence booster, they love the way they look and how wearing waist beads makes them feel. Traditionally waist beads were worn under clothing hidden from site only for a woman's husband to see, now women choose to show them under crop tops or over their clothing.

A: Waist beads are an excellent tool to monitor your weight/size. If your waist beads begin to get tighter, roll up, or even pop, you know that you are getting bigger. As your waist beads begin to fall lower, you know that you are losing weight. This is why a lot of women really like waist beads as a simple tool to use during their weight loss journey, or just as a size monitor. Others have said the idea of having them on motivates them to eat less and is a motivation for weight loss.

Use a tape measure to measure in inches where you would like your waist beads to lay.

Wrap the beads around your stomach where you would like them to lay, remove excess beads if necessary and double or triple knot the string securely. Cut off excess string while leaving a litttle to grasp if needed. Each waist bead will come with a pamplet of instructions on how to tie and care for them.

Absolutely! Traditional African waist beads are worn 24/7 by women and do not have to be removed unless desired.

A: Yes waist beads are beautiful on pregnant women. When measuring, you can either measure below your baby bump, across your navel, or slightly above the navel, depending on where you want it to lay. Most women leave a little excess room for their growing belly bump. Once the baby is delivered, you simply cut the string and remove any excess beads to fit your postpartum belly.

This is personal preference, you choose which area of the body is most comfotable and appealing to you.