When many people first discover waist beads, they see beauty. And they SHOULD. The colors. The sparkle. The way they gracefully accent a woman's curves. But waist beads are so much more than accessories. For centuries, women across various African cultures have worn waist beads as symbols of femininity, self-awareness, maturity, fertility, protection, celebration, and personal transformation. Today, women around the world continue the tradition, each bringing her own meaning