About
It all started with one strand...
Bernice Ogundipe Mills, Owner and Founder, is a 27 year old Oklahoma Native. B's Body Beads was created in November of 2019. Making waist beads and other jewelry was just a therapeutic hobby that manifested into a deep passion. Bernice researched and found out that waist beads originated in West Africa; primarily in the Yoruba Tribe. Her father is actually from Lagos, Nigeria and is Yoruba. Bernice is definitely deeply rooted!
Bernice knew her Ancestors and Spirit Guides lead her to her true passion. She also started her Spiritual journey in the beginning of 2019. She strives to help people with their personal spiritual journeys as she continues on her own.
Waist beads are an amazing adornment for women to get in tune with their bodies. B's Body Beads' mission is to encourage women to love themselves for who they are despite what society may think. Love yourself from your ROOT to your CROWN; you are a QUEEN!
B's Body Beads is proudly Black Owned, Woman Owned, LGBTQ Owned and a BBB Accredited Business.
"Empowering Women One Waist At A Time"
The History
Waist beads originated in the Motherland, primarily in Nigeria and Ghana. Some believe that waist beads originated in Ancient Egypt and they were called girdles and used as "status symbols". In the African Culture waist beads are worn for fertility, body shaping, rites of passage, wealth, healing, spirituality, protection and sexuality.
In the Ghanaian tradition, waist beads are used in naming ceremonies for babies. Placing waist beads at their waist and hips are a symbol of rites of passage. This also will help shape the waist and hips as she grows. Body shaping is a very popular reason why women wear waist beads. The more strands you have are said to help keep the waist tiny and shaped. Waist beads are also not to be shown to anyone but your spouse in the culture.
All of B's Body Beads *pre-strung strands are imported straight from Accra, Ghana.
Everyone has their own intentions for wearing waist beads. Today we see more women coming together and wearing them; it has become a movement! Although this is amazing, it is important to understand and appreciate the culture. Waist beads are a great tool for weight management. You will know if you are bloated or have gained inches when your beads start to roll up. When they start to hang lower towards your hips it's an indication that you lost inches or weight!
Waist beads are for EVERY WOMAN, no matter your shape, size, color or age