Do waistbeads make women sexually attractive?

In this article, Paida Mpaso finds out if the claim that wearing beads in the waist makes women sexually attractive.

Not so long ago beads were not sold openly. But of late things have changed. Some sellers are actually luring young women publicly to buy, saying they will enhance their beauty thereby making women more attractive and good in bed.

Chilomoni resident and former night queen Elita Kajombo says wearing beads makes women look attractive and so far the trend is capturing the hearts of many.

Kajombo says: “Men prefer women who wear beads. As a prostitute, you use everything at your disposal to attract men and this includes wearing of shiny beads. Some men would tell us that they preferred some because of the beads among others.”

Stella Nkhoma who sells beads at Blantyre Market agrees that the rate women are buying beads is quite high. She says she has been on the market for a year and has already made huge profits from this trade.

“It’s becoming a lucrative business, but as to whether it really spices up the bedroom, that is subject to debate. I see bead wearing as normal as putting on earrings. All beads do is spice up the looks of a woman’s body. They have nothing to do with performance,” she says.

Another bead seller at Ndirande Market, only identified as Mayi Nankhoma, says because of the demand, she has had to expand her business.

“I used to sell vegetables and tomatoes, but of late, I have had to expand my business. It seems many women are buying these beads. The demand has just suddenly shot up,” she says

Hen parties–a women’s gathering which aim at counseling a bride-to-be–are one of the occasions that encourage women to wear beads.

A regular attendee, Olivia Kanyenje, says people are exaggerating issues. She disagrees with bead wearing.

“I have been to school, I know what makes up a marriage and what does not and I certainly do not think that my husband will leave me because I do not wear beads. If that happens, then I would think he already had the intent of leaving me.

“You see, in these gatherings, the talk is just about what women should do. What about the man? With this kind of mentality, it will take a long mile for a woman to realise that a man too has a stake in the marriage. Why should the woman be burdened by wearing these to please the man? What is the man wearing to please the woman?” she asks.

Marriage counselor Vitumbiko Kalanda notes: “If a woman is desperate, they can easily be lied to and that is why some can be told to wear these things. I mean why should a woman be burdened to wear beads in the name of saving a marriage? I am not saying people should not try, but a marriage is two people working on it and not just the woman,” she says.