Lagosians on Wednesday expressed divergent views about women who wear waist chains, beads and anklets.
Some of those who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) lauded the development saying the accessories complement the beauty of women.
Others said that women wearing them could be likened to sex workers.
Some said that since women wearing waist chains or beads normally cover them with their clothes, they do not see the purpose of it.
They said that access to the waist beads is restricted to only the person who shares private moments with the women wearing them.
Itunu Alarape, who sells jewellery at Idumota Market on Lagos Island, told NAN that she records more sales from ankle chains than waist chains.
She said that old women buy the very expensive ones made of gold while young adults buy the less expensive ones made of silver.
“Most times, the adults ask for the waist beads but the new styles come in gold and silver chains.
“I know a woman, popularly called Mama B, who makes customised waist beads for women by taking the measurement of her clients as well as their preferred bead colours,” she said.
Mrs Alarape added that some of her clients that do not want to be seen in the market request that the chains be delivered to their homes.
She, however, said that she neither wears waist chain nor ankle chain because her husband condemns them as being indecent.
Richard Okoro, a shoe seller at Mushin Market said, “I have never really had anything against women who wear it. But the day I saw my younger sister wearing an anklet, I was all shades of angry.”
Idowu Olushola, a clearing agent, said most women who wear waist chains or beads look flashy and very attractive.
“I think I prefer the waist chain to the anklets on women. For me, I see a lot of sex workers wearing the ankle chains, Mr Olushola said.
Emelda Osazie, an entrepreneur, said she had always adorned her waist with the silver waist chain from her school days.
“I knew then that my parents would never approve my wearing of it, but I was doing it secretly during school hours.
“I would remove it when I was going home from school. I still wear it now as a married woman with children. And as a matter of fact, I have just got a newly designed set,” she said.
Mrs Osazie, however, said that she abhors the ankle chain.
“My waist chain is hidden from the public and I love it that way,” she said.
Ebele Peters, a medical doctor, said he would never go close to women that wear either.
He said regardless of today’s fashion fad, most people do not see women who wear waist chain or anklets as modest or responsible.
“Personally, I don’t like it and I have never secretly wished to have a fling with such women.
“It does not sit well with me,” Mr Peters said.
James Onalaja, a fashion designer, told NAN that the first thing that comes to his mind when he sees a woman with ankle chain is “Olosho (prostitute)”.
He said that if the woman was not trying to show–off with the waist chain, “I think that would be acceptable to me”.
Mr Onalaja said his girlfriend used to wear it, but she stopped it after she was delivered of her baby.
“I must say that it is very hard to take your eyes off a woman who shows off her waist beads and walks seductively before you.
“The waist chain was one of the things that attracted me to my girlfriend. We have been together for about two years now and I have no regrets,” Onalaja said.
Folashade Deru, a court official, said that only uncultured children would wear either waist or ankle chains.
She said that no man would ever take such women seriously, as they would be perceived as being wayward and indecent.
“I will curse any of my female children I see wearing either the waist or ankle chain,” Mrs Deru said.
Timothy Fakunle, a pastor, said that the Book of Isaiah in the Holy Bible condemned the wearing of anklets.
“In the Book of Isaiah, Prophet Isaiah said that God was not happy with the daughters of Zion who wore them.
“I feel most of the motivations behind wearing anklet do not glorify God,” he said.
Pastor Fakunle added that it would be wrong and a misplaced priority if the wearing of anklet was to satisfy the worship of a false god or for occult reasons.
