Anklets are now trending among the young and old in the Nigerian fashion scene.
They are now seen as an essential part of any dressing, casual or formal.
At most parties, women and girls are seen wearing clothes that show off their ankles, with different ornaments and chains of high quality.
Anklets are chains or ornaments worn around the ankles.
A cross-section of Nigerians expressed different views on the use of anklets.
Some told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that wearing anklets beautified women, while some others were of the view that it added no beauty to the users.
Amarachi Joseph, a historian, said the use of anklets had become the most controversial fashion among ladies in Nigeria.
Mrs. Joseph said that Nigerians from different backgrounds read meanings to the use of anklets.
She said that in some tribes, both men and women wear anklets during cultural festivals and other special ceremonies like chieftaincy title conferment or coronation.
“Anklets worn by the Igbo connote prestige, wealth, and beauty. These anklets are made with brass, beads and elephant tusk,” she said.
Joseph said that in some Yoruba communities, anklets are worn by certain chiefs as insignia.
According to her, the votaries and worshippers of deities also wear anklets as insignia of their offices and to signify spirit children.
“Among the Hausas, some of them wear anklets to beautify their feet on their wedding day,” Joseph said.
She added that women of high class wore them as ornaments, as they are regarded as being prestigious.
Joseph said that in some climes, anklets signify protection or identification of certain groups.
“In some societies, it is used to identify gay community or commercial sex workers, while in some parts it is used as contraceptive to prevent pregnancy.
“Generally, when I was younger, there was this perception that ladies that wear anklets were commercial sex workers.
“So we don’t associate with anyone seen with it as our parents also forbade us from being friends with them.
“In some communities in West Africa, anklets are given to brides by the groom to show that she is now married but now, almost everyone wears it,” she concluded.
Doris Usman, an orthopaedic doctor, however, told NAN that anklets were not just for fashion they could be therapeutic too.
“They are the most beautiful piece of ornaments worn in the world,” she said.
According to Dr. Usman, it is not only worn occasionally but some also prefer wearing it daily. It comes in various sizes, styles and designs.
“It provides relief from leg pain and weakness of heels, it also regulates blood circulation, which helps in curing swollen heels,” she said.
Johnson Ade, a businessman, said that to him the use of anklets connotes waywardness or homosexuality.
“I hate seeing ladies wearing anklets and I don’t think I can have any relationship with ladies who wear it,” he said.
Rasaki Ishola, however, said that he does not see anything wrong in women wearing anklets.
“As far as I am concerned, people can believe whatever they want to but I don’t see anything wrong with its use.
“In fact, I love it when my wife uses anklets. I see it as a piece of decoration worn by women, he said.
Omifunke Salami, an Osun devotee, explained to NAN that all the deities in Yoruba had their specific ornaments worn either on the ankle, the neck or the arm by their devotees.
She said that specifically devotees of Osun wore yellow and white beads on the neck and ankle.
“Osun was beauty personified, she wore beautiful ornaments in her time, on her neck and ankle, that is why her devotees wear same now.
”It is worn for beauty and for identification, so we know that we are children of the same kindred spirit,” Salami said.
Gbemisola Olusayo, an undergraduate, who sells anklets and wears too, told NAN that anklets were the trend in fashion.
Ms. Olusayo said she made different anklets and waist beads to the specifications of her customers.
According to her, her client base cuts across ages, students, workers, traders and even grandmothers.
Hear her: “Some want crystals, some just beads or chains, and I make for them to suit their pockets and requirements.
“I buy strands of beads, chains and other ornaments and make on demand for my customers.”
She also said she had made a lot of money from the business, on campus and outside.
“If I invest N50,000, I usually make between N30,000 and N50,000 profit.
“Sometimes, I need to replace the beading tools, because they break or get worn out,” Olusayo said.
