It has been named according to the tribes wearing them. In northern Nigeria, it is called ‘Jigida’ while the Yorubas refer to it as ‘Bebedi’.

Women’s sexuality in Africa as a whole is attached to a woman’s bum and the beads help women sway and show off this feature. Although much sentiment is attached to the use of this ornament, some ladies don’t mind wearing them.

This present day generation doesn’t see the need to wear beads around the waist in order to make the bum shake; they would rather ‘twerk’ and shake the bum harder than those wearing the waist beads.

The wearing of beads is thought to be obscene, local and primitive. Most parents wouldn’t allow their young ones wear them. It is seen as something dirty which is meant for ladies or children with no moral upbringing.

It is believed that whoever wears them is wayward and is trying desperately to attract men with it. This misconception has not discouraged the true lovers of waist beads. They hold special admiration for it.

The waist beads in truth are associated with sex and sexuality. It has the ability to stir deep erotic feelings in men. Sexual pleasure is heightened when men see waist beads resting seductively on a woman’s hips. The beads make the women aware of themselves and the power wielded round their sexuality.

The waist, hips, bum and thighs become the focal point of attention when the bead is worn. Feminism and beauty is enhanced with the wearing of waist beads. Young girls wear waist beads to show they are growing into young beautiful women that are ready for marriage.

As interesting as the culture of bead wearing is, it also has some issues of spirituality attached to it. Waist beads are believed by many to have been dipped and soaked in some remedies to entice, charm and trap men.

In the past, charmed beads were worn to protect women against certain forces that may be radiating negative energy around them. In pregnancy, it is believed to be a protector of the unborn baby and the mother.

Charmed beads also help the women improve their sexual prowess while acting as some sort of birth control. This issue of spirituality attached to the bead is a major turn off for some men who believe they may never be able to get out of the claws of a woman wearing them once they are trapped.

The wearing of waist beads has extended to the shores of the Western and European world as belly dancers and pole workers have developed an affinity for it. Body movements are accentuated when beads are being worn.

The confidence of many the women who wear waist beads is boosted with the strings of beads round their waist. They are able to prolong sexual activities as the men run their fingers over the beads during foreplay. The sound and feel of the beads between two heated bodies during love making creates a sea of excitement for them.