Waist beads or chain, on the other hand, is also a type of body jewelry worn around the waist.
The use of waist chains can be traced back to 4,000 years or more, originating in the Indian subcontinent. Historically, waist chains have been used in India, by men and women, as ornaments and as part of religious ceremonies, as accessories and to show affluence.
With the full understanding of what waist chains and anklets are, it is observed that these were used as body ornaments as against the motive for the usage among the youths currently.
On the contrary, the society has attached negativity to wearing of anklets and waist beads, as they stigmatise those who wear them as “prostitutes”.
Many Nigerians now believe that anklets and waist beads are used as bait to permanently gain the attention of men. Some others have the belief that these materials most often times have been exposed to some rituals before being worn.
In an interview, Omowole said that the anklets are used as symbol of recognition to identify the deities which individuals who wear them are devoted to, just as members of some organisations wear Insignia to show they are members.
According to her, the number of strands of anklet worn by a devotee of a particular deity signifies the wealth of knowledge and experience of the devotee.
She says some waist beads are also used as contraceptive device to prevent unwanted pregnancies, which is called “Jigida”.
Omowole explained that this is used as an alternative means of family planning.
“In African culture, wearing waist beads and anklets do not signify prostitution but beauty. This is also known as a sign of honour, used for recognition and fashion,” she said.
Esther Ujah, a Theatre Arts student from Alex Ekwueme University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, said she loves to wear waist beads just because of the beauty it gives to her waistline.
“I love the sight of it and the beauty it gives to my waistline and secondly, it helps me regulate my weight. To know when am increasing and reducing in weight,” she said.
According to Oyinkansola Bakare, Chief Executive Officer, Morennikky Stores, waist beads are generally for beauty, as most ladies believe it helps to control body weight.
Bakare said some other ladies also use it to attract the opposite sex because of the beauty it exudes.