The story behind
Handmade African waist beads, strung by hand with intention and made to be tied on and worn every day. Every Raine strand is a traditional tie-on waist bead with no clasp, crafted in small batches in glass seed beads, genuine gemstones, solid copper and 14k gold fill.
Whether this is your very first strand or you are adding to a stack you have been building for years, this is the home of every waist bead we make. Below you will find what waist beads are, what they mean, how to choose your size, and how to tie them on.
Waist beads are strands of beads worn around the waist or hips. They have been worn for generations across West Africa, in places like Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo, to mark rites of passage, femininity, fertility, celebration and protection. Today women everywhere wear them as adornment, as a daily reminder of an intention, and as a way to feel at home in their bodies.
New to waist beads? Our complete beginner's guide to African waist beads covers the history and tradition in more depth.
We only make tie-on waist beads. There is no clasp, so your strand sits smooth against your skin. You wrap it where you want it to sit, tie a secure knot, and trim the ends. Most women wear their beads day and night, under or over clothing, until they choose to take them off. If you are deciding between styles, read Tie-On vs. Clasp Waist Beads.
Every color carries its own meaning. Red is often tied to passion and grounding, orange to creativity, yellow to confidence, green to growth and healing, blue to calm and truth, purple to intuition, white to new beginnings and black to protection. Gemstones, copper and gold add their own layers of meaning, too. Explore every color in our waist bead color meanings guide.
Not sure where to start? Take the Find My Waist Bead quiz. Answer three quick questions and we will match you with a set of three strands made for you.
Our standard strands are 45 inches, which fits about sizes 0 to 18. Waist beads are for every body, so if you need more length, just choose it on the product page and enter your waist measurement. Custom length is free on every order.
Stand up straight and wrap a soft measuring tape or a piece of string around the spot where you want your beads to sit: high on the waist, at the navel, or lower on the hips. Keep it snug but not tight. If you use string, mark where it meets and measure it with a ruler. Add an inch for a looser fit, or use your exact measurement for a closer fit.
Wrap the strand around your body, cross it where you want it to sit, release the anchor beads, and tie a double or triple knot before trimming the extra thread. Our step-by-step guide to tying waist beads includes a video tutorial. When the time comes to take them off or give a well-loved strand new life, see how to take off, retie and restring your waist beads.
Who can wear waist beads? Anyone. Waist beads are worn by women of every age, size and background. If you are drawn to them, they are for you.
Can I shower and sleep in my waist beads? Yes. Tie-on waist beads are made to be worn every day. Pieces with copper may develop a natural patina over time, and a quick clean and polish brings back the shine.
Will my waist beads stretch? No. Traditional tie-on waist beads do not stretch, so they sit where you tie them. If your body changes, they may sit higher or lower, and many women love them as a gentle way to notice those changes.
How long does my order take? Every strand is handmade to order and ships within 10 business days. Orders over $65 ship free within the U.S.
Every Raine strand is handcrafted with care, rooted in tradition and made to be worn close. Find yours above, and tie on your story.
