TASTEFULLY SIMPLE TRADITION
GENUINE AFRICAN WAIST BEADS
no tape, no tying
made for everyday
handmade with love
for the girls turned women
TOHΒ·FEE || \ΛTΓFΔ
Hello & Welcome to the Toffie Shop
Toffie's mission is to celebrate womanhood and uplift others. We do this by making it easier for women to adorn and love themselves with beautiful African body jewelry.
We're not your average waist bead shop. WeΒ don't need your exact measurements. We sell by "line", not by inch. We love beginners + first-time wearers. Get to know us more.
WHAT ARE WAIST BEADS?
MORE THAN BEADS AND STRING
While they may appear to simply be strands of strung up beads worn around the midsection, waist beads are much more than that. They are a form of intentional body jewelry originating in Africa worn by women as part of a longstanding ancient tradition and cultural practice.
At their core, African waist beads were/are used to affirm a woman's sense of being ("I am") as well as manifest her greatest desires ("I will").
WHY wear WAIST BEADS?
CULTURE / PRACTICE
"they ground me in my roots"
Waist beads follow us on our journey through womanhood.Β Baby girlsΒ might have them tied on during naming ceremonies and sometimes as a form of body shaping. Adolescent girls might get them as a giftΒ from their mothers to celebrate their first period or ascribe motherly protection & blessings.Β Adult womenΒ might wear them as a symbol of womanhood or a reminder of her roots.
Why wear waist beads?
WELLNESS / FITNESS
"theyΒ help meΒ stay physically and spiritually mindful"
Waist beadsΒ wrap intimately on the body promoting self-awareness. TheyΒ are popularly usedΒ today as weight management tools since the beads roll upΒ as you gain, and down as you lose. This same movement of the beads is also used traditionally by expectant mothers to understand their stage of pregnancyΒ as the belly grows.Β
why wear waist beads?
LOVE / SEX
"they driveΒ my partner crazy"
Waist beads are associated with sexΒ and oftenΒ serve as always-on lingerie.Β Men find them incrediblyΒ seductive toΒ look at and touch in the bedroom,Β and women traditionally used them toΒ initiate intercourse (larger beads made sounds as she walked). Due to this intimate nature, waist beads are worn out of sight of the public in many African cultures.
Why wear Waist Beads?
BEAUTY / FASHION
"they lookΒ really good on me"Β
Waist beads ultimately symbolizeΒ femininity and accentuate the female figure. Today, they are often worn as aΒ fun and eye-catching body accessory that represents cultural heritage while making youΒ feeling beautiful from the inside out.
HANDMADE WITH LOVE
GENUINE FROM GHANA
Our waist beads are authentically African and are specifically made in Accra, Ghana.Β We work hard behind the scenes toΒ source materials fromΒ bead makersΒ at a fair price before deliveringΒ them to our on-staff beaders whoΒ measure, thread, clasp, and quality check every single line. We're open and honest about our production process, and strive to make life better for women we work with. Learn more about our Social Impact efforts.
STYLED BY TASTEMAKERS
CUSTOMER-SELECTED COLOR COMBOS
