The concept of rocking waist beads is not one that started today. It has been in existence since the days of the African founding forefathers and foremothers, and luckily for this generation and other generations to come, wearing waist beads is one of those African traditions and cultures that have not gone and will not go into extinction and oblivion.

When most people hear waist beads, their minds immediately go to the controversies associated with it. Different questions come up like Is it used to snatch destinies? Is it used to lure men? Should Christians wear it? However, waist beads are used for various reasons depending on the motive of an individual.

The colors of beads vary, and they have different meanings and significance. The purposes and importance vary from culture to culture, tribe to tribe, etc.  In some cultures, green could mean healing, blue could mean peace and harmony, red could mean passion and sexual energy, and yellow could mean wisdom and knowledge.