Do you know that you don’t need to dispose of your waist beads once they break? I mean, yes — the heartbreak is real. One minute you’re feeling all goddess-like, the next minute… snap! Your beads scatter dramatically across the floor like they’re auditioning for a Nollywood slow-motion scene.
But here’s the truth every bead lover needs to know: beads breaking is inevitable. If you’ve been wearing waist beads long enough, you’ll experience it one way or another. And no, it’s not a curse. Sometimes it’s just life — or, let’s be honest, love — doing its thing.
I’ve heard stories about how some women’s beads broke in the most unexpected situations. For some, it happened during break time at school while playing ampe with friends. For others, it was mid-beating from their math or science teacher — a moment that not only hurt their backs but also traumatized their beads for life! Then there are the classic ones: beads breaking as someone tries to squeeze into a trotro or while casually walking down the street. The most embarrassing part? Having to shyly reach under your dress to secure the broken strand while trying to pick the remaining beads off the floor — especially if your crush happens to be around. Now imagine that happening to a Ghanaian girl… Ei! I can’t even begin to picture it.
It could also be due to a fault in the material, too much contact with water (especially if your beads are made with cotton thread), or maybe your partner got a little too… enthusiastic and decided to use your beads as a bridle during intimacy. Yes, it happens — and if you just chuckled, that means you know exactly what I’m talking about.
Now, as much as no bead lover wants to see her precious strands pop, you don’t have to cry over it. Take a breath. Maybe even laugh a little. Because here’s the beauty of it: you can always re-strand them.
That’s right — your beads are not gone, they’re just resting. You can restring them exactly as they were, or give them a new twist. That’s one of the most exciting things about waist beads — they’re not perishable! Unlike that jar of shea butter you forgot open, beads don’t spoil. They can be reborn again and again, just like the African woman’s spirit — resilient, timeless, and endlessly creative.
But here’s one small word of advice: when your beads break, don’t lose the bits and pieces. Gather every single bead you can find (yes, even the stubborn ones hiding under the couch). Because if you lose too many, it can be hard to replicate your exact design — especially if you got it from Taltohma, where no two designs are ever the same. Each piece we make carries its own soul, its own rhythm, its own attitude.
At Taltohma, when you bring your old beads in for restringing (or as we call it, Mesi Me Dada Mu), we treat them like old friends returning home. We’ll examine the materials, check the thread type, and — depending on what you prefer — either keep your original design or transform it into something new.
We offer several restringing options:
- Cotton thread: for traditionalists who like that natural feel.
- Fishing line: strong and nearly invisible — great for long-term wear.
- Nylon thread: flexible, modern, and perfect for hybrid designs.
Oh, and don’t worry about the fit — you can trust us to get your measurements spot on. Just share your waist and hip measurements, and we’ll handle the rest. We’ve mastered that art down to a science (and a little intuition).
Depending on the material and amount of work involved, restringing comes with a small fee — but it’s a worthy investment. You’re not just repairing something old; you’re preserving a piece of your story.
So dear bead lover, don’t fret if your beads break. It’s not the end; it’s simply a new beginning. At Taltohma, we believe every strand deserves another chance to dance around your waist. Bring them in, let’s breathe new life into them, and maybe even give them a little attitude adjustment while we’re at it.
Because like love, culture, and good jollof — some things are just too precious to throw away.
Has one of your waist beads ever broken at the worst possible time? Share your story — I promise, we’ve all been there! Tag @Taltohma on Instagram or leave a comment below about your Mesi Me Dada Mu experience. Let’s laugh, learn, and celebrate the art of restoring beauty together.
Happy Beading.
Vera (Artist, Photographer & Bead Instructor at TALTOHMA)
References
Owusu, K. (2020). Adornment, Memory, and Renewal: The Rebirth of African Decorative Arts. Journal of Heritage and Design, 5(3), 74–86. Available at: https://journals.heritagedesign.org/owusu2020
Fafunwa, T. (2018). The Sustainability of African Craft Traditions. Journal of Cultural Preservation, 12(1), 55–68. Available at: https://culturalpreservationjournal.org/fafunwa2018
Mensah, R. (2022). Threads of Identity: Craftsmanship and Cultural Continuity in Ghanaian Beadwork. African Art Review, 14(2), 29–42. Available at: https://africanartreview.com/mensah2022