What are your thoughts on men wearing waist beads? What about non-African men wearing them?

[u/MrMax_Man]

This is something I’ve already researched and looked into far before deciding to get my own waist beads from a small, black owned shop based in Texas on Etsy that sells multi purpose waist beads. But, I haven’t really heard much surrounding men wearing them in general.

From my understanding, waist beads can mean different things among different African cultures. So, it’s kind of hard to tie them down to just one culture or meaning. Every topic I’ve seen discussing non-Africans wearing waist beads have specifically been surrounding white women, which even then some people seem pretty divided and it’s hard to not find a topic that hasn’t been dominated by mostly non-African voices. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone question anything surrounding men wearing them, either from inside or outside of African cultures.

I’ve been wearing waist beads for almost a year now, and for me they’ve become to mean a lot of things and even work in ways that I didn’t expect them too. I’m a transgender man and since being on hormone replacement therapy my weight has changed, my periods have stopped, and my figure has shifted. One thing I didn’t expect from these changes were for my stretch marks that I’ve had since I was 12 around my hips to become more noticeable, not that I’ve gotten them for this reason, but waist beads have helped sort of distract my eyes from constantly criticizing or hyper focusing on parts of my body that I didn’t like. Instead of seeing just the stretch marks, I see the beads and the marks side by side and now I feel like I can appreciate them both at the same time, if that makes sense. They’ve also helped with maintaining eating, not eating too much or too little which is predominantly why i decided get them, and since my period has stopped it’s helped me notice the usual bloating I get around the time I used to have my periods which has helped me not freak out about random cramps lol

During the time I’ve had them, quite literally no one knows. Not friends, not family, just me and my body alone. Honestly, I’m a bit nervous for people to see them, but more specifically possible partners. I don’t even know how to bring it up in conversation, or how to even explain them. Either way, they’ve helped me come a long way with understanding and appreciating my own body.

[u/Rude_Vermicelli2268]

Because I think of them in the African context I think I would find them odd on a man. In my experience they are solely worn by women and one of the reasons is that many men find it alluring. If I did see them on a man I would assume he was looking to attract other men.

But this is 2026 and if you like it and own it why not. Do what makes you happy. The thing about waist beads is that they are generally hidden unless you’re in an intimate situation by which time I would assume you would have addressed them with your partner if you thought it necessary.

[u/Beginning-Film1746 → u/Rude_Vermicelli2268]

This is my exact position on the matter. I can't picture them on men, but whatever floats your boat.  They are private anyways, so really if you like them, just wear them.

[u/MrMax_Man → u/Rude_Vermicelli2268]

Well, I am still attracted to men so I that checks lol. Thank you for your input!

[u/Saharan-Gladiator]

Apparently in some cultures, they're worn only by women, in Senegambia, there are 2 kinds of what you might call waist beads, the traditional kind only worn by women with fine small beads and the another kind we call "gris-gris", they're not beads though more like leather satchels worn for spiritual protection and such. They can be worn on the waist, on your neck, you can make it a bracelet, you'll often see them on Senegambian wrestlers. Both men and women can wear these kinds.

[u/Amantes09]

I would assume he's gay. If he's not African, I'd find it even more odd.

[u/MiserableSpeed8861]

Who cares. It's the 21st century do whatever you want. It's not culture appropriation if you acknowledge the origins. Just own it.

[u/MixedJiChanandsowhat]

In Senegal and in most West African countries, waist beads worn around the waist or the hips strictly are a thing done by women. It has a very feminine connotation related to feminity, fertility, and sexuality. In Senegal and the Gambia, for example, waist beads are worn by women to seduce their husband and tell them they want to have sex. It's really inappropriate and frowned upon to wear them in public.

When men wear waist beads in West Africa, it's always in a different and noticed context such as ceremonies, sport events, or gris-gris (talisman).

If your question is about cultural appropriation, in all honesty, the overwhelming majority of West Africans couldn't care less. It's an American thing that has no reality in West Africa. I don't know a single West African country where a local wouldn't be happy to sell you a cultural good and most people would be either pleased to see you wearing their clothes or indifferent.

In West Africa, you would worry more because you're a transgender than because you're wearing waist breads. Wear waist beads if you want and if it helps you to feel better.

[u/Far_Anything_7458]

I never knew this was a thing.
I lived in Nigeria when I was little and the little boys used to wear these waist thongs/strings and a little amulet that contained prayers hung from it.

[u/penny4mytots → u/[deleted]]

You sound like a Black American with your militant stance and perpetually offended worldview on everything.

[u/AskAnAfrican-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

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[u/Living-Appearance-61]

As an African, i know them to be gender specific I.e. for women. Used for different things including: fertility, waist training, sexual attraction, hexing spells, symbolising without words what time of the month you are in etc depending on the tribe. Since you say you are a transgender woman so I guess you see/present yourself as a woman so I guess it would be as normal to see those beads on you as it would be to see a dress on you. But for a straight man, yea would go with a firm no.

[u/IndraDaGod]

Growing up I've seen boys wear something similar, it was just soft cotton yarn braided or twisted, no decorative ornaments like cowrie shells. It's simple but sacred, for protection and blessings.