In Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, and other West African countries, waist beads are a symbol of femininity, fertility, sensuality, and spiritual well-being. Today, in both Africa and the United States, women use waist beads for aesthetic and practical purposes.
Simply so, what is the purpose of a belly chain?
Use of belly chain
Such restraints are often used in the United States in courtrooms, or for transporting prisoners, or in other public situations as a safeguard against escape. They are used above all when detainees are to be restrained over a longer period of time, for example during transport or at court hearings.
| Rank | Product | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Beadnova Bracelet String | “Crystal” polyurethane craft wire (109yd) |
| 2. | Mandala Crafts Elastic Cord | Brown elastic nylon cord (2mm dia., 76 yd) |
Just so, how do you wear African waist beads?
Does Waist Beads shape your body?
Measurements and Body Shaping
It is said that the beads shape your body and keep the waist small and hips accentuated. It was (and still is) used as a measurement tool. The beads do not stretch, so if/when the waist beads start to feel a little tight, it’s a sign that there was some weight gain, and vice versa.
Are you supposed to show your waist beads?
They’re everywhere, but “they’re not for show,” said Bowden,? owner of Creative Waist Beads by Journey Armon (her children’s names) in Oakland. “In African tradition, waist beads are meant to be worn under clothing,” she said. “They’re for you.
What is the point of a body chain?
The thing with body chains is that they’re worn to make a statement, to stand out or to show style.
Why do they put a belt on prisoners?
Prisoner transport
When transporting prisoners, leather or nylon belts are often used instead of belly chains to secure the prisoner’s arms at waist level. These restraint belts have a metal ring on the front, through which the handcuffs are plugged and then put on the detainee’s wrists.
Where do body chains come from?
The body chain is an eccentric form of jewellery, whose origin can be traced to Indian classical and belly dancers, who wore chains of different designs around their belly. Such chains cling onto the body from the neck and go beyond the back and waist.
