About Ilekedi

Two black women adorned in waistbeads, beaded anklets and bracelets laughing

|Why Ilekedi?|

Ilekedi is the traditional Yoruba word for Waist beads (Ilẹ̀kẹ̀ ìdí).

We create high quality handcrafted adornments for your waist and the rest of your body. Our exquisite luxury pieces, lovingly beaded in Lagos, Nigeria, cater to the modern woman with discerning taste. No matter your age, shape or size, we loving embrace your waist with our beads.

|History Of Waistbeads|

Wearing waistbeads is an ancient African beauty practice that dates back centuries. Mostly worn underneath clothes, they are sometimes worn visibly as a status symbol.

They are used as a tool for body shaping and growth tracking for young girls and as they mature, women would often attract their husbands with their beads as a means to communicate their desire for intimacy and fertility at certain times of the month.

|Beauty & Empowerment|

Today they are mostly worn for beauty and adornment as a great way to accentuate the waist.

Women who wear waistbeads tap into their femininity and embrace their sensuality within

Ilẹ̀kẹ̀di (waistbeads) are known for enhancing confidence, beauty and balance.

|Weight Tracking|

Waistbeads are a great tool for tracking weight maintenance or loss. The beads tighten and rise up when a woman gains weight and get looser and drop as she loses weight.

They are also called Jigida, Bebedi, Belly Beads, Waist Beads, Waist Chains, etc.

Get Answers To Your Frequently Asked Questions Here.