THE CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF “jigida”
-By Gloria Ikibah
African tradition attributes the wearing of waist beads to the definition of the waist, meaning that it helps a female to *hold* their figure or shape. A string of beads worn around the waist by African women. The jigida is a set of beads strung along a wire or cord, worn at the waist, traditionally by African women but today women the world over make the JIGIDA as the exclusive symbol of their femininity. African tradition attributes the wearing of waist beads to the definition of the waist, meaning that it helps a female to *hold* their figure or shape. Wearing of beads around the waist inspires women to carve out a well-formed figure that is advantageous to her life. African custom is legitimate because young girls and women still want the shape and figure the jigida compliments and are one that men continue to long for and appreciate most. The waist beads show the sexuality of women with the aim of achieving genuine womanliness and their ability to bear children. Before time girls are made to understand that wearing jigida or waist beads helps them achieve the roundness of the hips, the slimness of the waist, a long neck and voluptuous breasts that is the mark of a physically desirable woman. The waist beads can, therefore, be seen as an aspect of maturity and the strength of mind for women to be the best they can be. This helps differentiate the men from the women in today’s fashion and as such, every man would look further to finding a woman with the jigida.
Beads or jigida are worn under clothes traditionally by African women, waist beads have several different meanings. Ranging from rites of passage to enticing your husband to heal and rejuvenation. The art of adorning one's self has been practiced since the beginning of time. In Egypt, waist beads were called “girdles”. All the women wore them and it was a uniform for pre-pubescent girls without any sexual connotation. But usually, servants or dancers wore them and are shown in wall relief’s wearing them and nothing else! In West Africa, waist beads have several names like Jel-Jelli, Jigida, Giri-Giri, Djalay Djalay or Yomba. They’re always worn under clothes. In Ghana, women knew that waist beads helped form their bodies into a particular shape and adult women wear beads to sexually stimulate the male. In other parts of West Africa, women would wear waist beads with bells on them, and when they walked it would make a jingling noise. Dipping them in oil scented the beads. Some cultures in Africa and many Indian women use it as a tool to know when they are putting on weight. The tighter the beads become, you instantly know to slow down on the eating. As weird as it may sound it was a sign by young women to show "potential mates" their fertility.
The jigida awakens the senses of the man because revelation of the jigida is restricted or rather limited to the bedroom or bath which means that the body or jigida is not to be exposed to other men and must or should not be visible to the public eye because it is supposed to be a part of the female body. It emphasizes a woman's body, its beauty, and its curves. Access to the jigida is private, only the person who shares the intimacy of the woman has the privilege to see it."
Jigida is a made with beads of various colors, plastic or metal, which has been an accolade to the African women both young, old and the unborn who lay bare their creative skills and put into their families and communities. Originally, women would string sunflower nuts along a wire, before using beads some jigidas are made of red and black pearls which are supposed to be an embellishment of beauty. Wearing jigida is both aesthetic and cultural it continues to symbolize the attention that a woman gives her body equating it to the care she gives to her skin and hair. It also places of interest on some aspects of her body which is the essence of her beauty.
In some parts of Africa, brides wear as many as fifteen strings of jigida on her waist, most of which are blood coloured, some are made up with a few black discs thrown in. The strings of the jigida clinked as she dances, behind the jigida covers all parts of her buttocks but in front, they lay string upon string from her navel to her genitals, covering the greater part and providing a dark shade for the rest. As she dances, the crowd cheers, her beauty radiates as her smiles sent air of exuberance across to all present. The other maids who dance with her equally wear jigida but theirs are not as much and beautiful as that of the Bride.
Traditionally, pearls were therapeutically used to cure the illnesses of the kidneys (consequently the pronunciation of the hips), the health of the elderly or the aches and problems related to age. Pearls are also the ancestral protection of the gods; consequently, a woman who wears the jigida is protected by her ancestors.
Beads are very good women should not be ignorant of it because it is of great importance and significance to womanhood. So they must be worn properly and for the right purpose, some wear beads that are meant for the neck on their waist, and some reveal what is meant for their husbands to every other man on the street.
Speaking to some males Tonye Sammie has this to say about beads “I like it, it thrills me and if my wife uses the tiny ones, white colour especially, I can even buy it for her because if a lady is walking and the waist beads move up and down, it draws my attention”.
-By Gloria Ikibah
African tradition attributes the wearing of waist beads to the definition of the waist, meaning that it helps a female to *hold* their figure or shape. A string of beads worn around the waist by African women. The jigida is a set of beads strung along a wire or cord, worn at the waist, traditionally by African women but today women the world over make the JIGIDA as the exclusive symbol of their femininity. African tradition attributes the wearing of waist beads to the definition of the waist, meaning that it helps a female to *hold* their figure or shape. Wearing of beads around the waist inspires women to carve out a well-formed figure that is advantageous to her life. African custom is legitimate because young girls and women still want the shape and figure the jigida compliments and are one that men continue to long for and appreciate most. The waist beads show the sexuality of women with the aim of achieving genuine womanliness and their ability to bear children. Before time girls are made to understand that wearing jigida or waist beads helps them achieve the roundness of the hips, the slimness of the waist, a long neck and voluptuous breasts that is the mark of a physically desirable woman. The waist beads can, therefore, be seen as an aspect of maturity and the strength of mind for women to be the best they can be. This helps differentiate the men from the women in today’s fashion and as such, every man would look further to finding a woman with the jigida.
Beads or jigida are worn under clothes traditionally by African women, waist beads have several different meanings. Ranging from rites of passage to enticing your husband to heal and rejuvenation. The art of adorning one's self has been practiced since the beginning of time. In Egypt, waist beads were called “girdles”. All the women wore them and it was a uniform for pre-pubescent girls without any sexual connotation. But usually, servants or dancers wore them and are shown in wall relief’s wearing them and nothing else! In West Africa, waist beads have several names like Jel-Jelli, Jigida, Giri-Giri, Djalay Djalay or Yomba. They’re always worn under clothes. In Ghana, women knew that waist beads helped form their bodies into a particular shape and adult women wear beads to sexually stimulate the male. In other parts of West Africa, women would wear waist beads with bells on them, and when they walked it would make a jingling noise. Dipping them in oil scented the beads. Some cultures in Africa and many Indian women use it as a tool to know when they are putting on weight. The tighter the beads become, you instantly know to slow down on the eating. As weird as it may sound it was a sign by young women to show "potential mates" their fertility.
The jigida awakens the senses of the man because revelation of the jigida is restricted or rather limited to the bedroom or bath which means that the body or jigida is not to be exposed to other men and must or should not be visible to the public eye because it is supposed to be a part of the female body. It emphasizes a woman's body, its beauty, and its curves. Access to the jigida is private, only the person who shares the intimacy of the woman has the privilege to see it."
Jigida is a made with beads of various colors, plastic or metal, which has been an accolade to the African women both young, old and the unborn who lay bare their creative skills and put into their families and communities. Originally, women would string sunflower nuts along a wire, before using beads some jigidas are made of red and black pearls which are supposed to be an embellishment of beauty. Wearing jigida is both aesthetic and cultural it continues to symbolize the attention that a woman gives her body equating it to the care she gives to her skin and hair. It also places of interest on some aspects of her body which is the essence of her beauty.
In some parts of Africa, brides wear as many as fifteen strings of jigida on her waist, most of which are blood coloured, some are made up with a few black discs thrown in. The strings of the jigida clinked as she dances, behind the jigida covers all parts of her buttocks but in front, they lay string upon string from her navel to her genitals, covering the greater part and providing a dark shade for the rest. As she dances, the crowd cheers, her beauty radiates as her smiles sent air of exuberance across to all present. The other maids who dance with her equally wear jigida but theirs are not as much and beautiful as that of the Bride.
Traditionally, pearls were therapeutically used to cure the illnesses of the kidneys (consequently the pronunciation of the hips), the health of the elderly or the aches and problems related to age. Pearls are also the ancestral protection of the gods; consequently, a woman who wears the jigida is protected by her ancestors.
Beads are very good women should not be ignorant of it because it is of great importance and significance to womanhood. So they must be worn properly and for the right purpose, some wear beads that are meant for the neck on their waist, and some reveal what is meant for their husbands to every other man on the street.
Speaking to some males Tonye Sammie has this to say about beads “I like it, it thrills me and if my wife uses the tiny ones, white colour especially, I can even buy it for her because if a lady is walking and the waist beads move up and down, it draws my attention”.
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