Bedroom code: Fridah Mwaka reveals what married women’s waist beads really mean
Award-winning journalist and news anchor Fridah Mwaka has shed light on the deeper meaning behind waist beads, describing them as more than just beauty accessories for married women.
Speaking during a live interview with Oga Obinna, Fridah explained that waist beads enhance a woman’s beauty. However, she added that once a woman is mature, the beads also carry a message.
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“Shangaa kiunoni ni urembo, lakini ukisha komaa kama mwanamke ziko na ujumbe,” Fridah explained.
According to Fridah, different bead colours communicate different meanings within marriage.
She explained that red beads signal that a woman is on her menstrual cycle and needs space, while white beads indicate that she feels clean and ready for intimacy. Multicoloured beads, she said, show that a woman feels happy and vibrant.
“Ukivaa shanga nyekundu kwa mume wako unamwonyesha kwamba uko kwa siku zako za hedhi kwa hivyo akae kando, ukivaa shanga nyeupe ni kuonyesha kwamba uko tayari upo msafi, ukivaa shanga ambazo ziko na rangi tofauti tofauti nikuonyesha yani uko sawa, unajiskia kama mtoto maua maua,” she added.
Fridah added that a married woman can wear a black waist bead to signal that she needs space.
“Ukivaa shanga nyeusi kaa kando sii leo,” she added.
The TV queen emphasised that waist beads are part of African culture and can communicate without words.
“Shanga ni utamaduni, ni zile sauti ishirini na moja siyo lazima ni zungumuze,shanga itakuambia. alafu pia ni urembo,” she said, adding that beyond communication, they remain a symbol of beauty.
For weight check
Beyond the bedroom code, she noted that waist beads also help with weight monitoring.
According to her, waist beads can help a woman notice changes in her body. When one gains weight, the beads tighten, and when one loses weight, they loosen, acting as a subtle body-check tool.
“Pia kuna ile pia inakutunza kiuno, unajua wakati umeanza kunona shanga itakuambia, itabana kabisa na pia kama unalegea pia itakuonyesha,” Fridah added.
Misuse of the waist beads
Fridah further cautioned against misusing waist beads or exposing them unnecessarily. She noted that traditionally, waist beads are intimate adornments.
“Ndio maana shanga hazifai kuonekana ovyoovyo. Nairobi wasichana mnavaa shanga vibaya,hizi ni shanga za ndani ni urembo wako,”she pointed out.
“Mimi shanga sikosi lakini siyo ya watu wengi.”
