Queen Yaa Asantewaa

Queen Yaa Asantewaa
This strand is a part of "The Return Collection" inspired by Ayodele's 2019 "Year of the Return" trip to Ghana, Africa. It represents the will, courage, and strength to protect and fight for what's right, collectively with those that you trust, and the importance of never giving in to injustice.

Queen Mother Nana Yaa Asantewaa was the queen mother of the Edweso tribe of the Asante (Ashanti) in what is now modern Ghana. At the time, the Gold Coast (west-central Africa) was under the British protectorate. When the Asante began rebelling against British rule, the British attempted to put down the unrest and demanded that the Asante people turn over to them the Golden Stool, i.e. the throne and a symbol of Asante independence.

At this time, Yaa Asantewaa was the Gatekeeper of the Golden Stool and refused to give in to the British. She led The Ashanti-British "War of the Golden Stool" with an army of 5,000. While Yaa Asantewaa was captured by the British and deported, her bravery stirred a kingdom-wide movement for the return of their leaders and for independence. Yaa Asantewaa's dream for an Asante free of British rule was realized on March 6, 1957, when the Asante protectorate gained independence as part of Ghana. Ghana was the first African nation in Sub-Saharan Africa to achieve this feat.

Featuring mahogany red/black/white striped traditional Chek African trade beads, garnet gemstone beads, cowrie shells, and crystal glass beads.

Symbolism:

• Red ignites courage, passion, resilience & strength & supplies breath to the mind, body, and spirit.
  
• Cowrie shells are known as the most successful and the best form of currency in various regions of the world. The cowrie shells represent goddess protection which is highly powerful and is connected with the strength and power of the Ocean. The cowrie’s elegant shape represents the female form, its rounded top reminiscent of a pregnant woman’s belly. Thus it is a symbol of fertility. The slit on the underside of the shell can look like a black pupil against the pearly white surface, which is why it is often used to ward against the evil eye.
• Garnet is one of the oldest known gemstones. It removes and transforms negative energies to strengthen and heal the body and mind, and offers its wearer the power to protect their standing and possessions.

Each strand includes 5 loops, each designed to specifically include 15 beads and 1 cowrie shell.

The cowrie shell represents Yaa Asantewaa and the remaining 15 beads circled around "Her" represent 15 of her closest advisers captured with her, and sent into exile to the Seychelles.

Chakra:

• Root which exhibits the qualities of physical energy and vitality. Ground spirit forces in the body. Brings passion and strength to your relationships, your life, and your work.

You can also check our Color Symbolism Chart for further details.

Fit: Each strand wraps one time around the waist. For multiple strands, add the desired number of pieces per style to your cart.

Length: Customized to your waist size, please provide the desired length during checkout.

Need help measuring your waist? Check out Ayodele's "How to Measure" and "How to Tie a Waist Bead" video.

Each waist bead is made to order by hand and customized to specifications indicated in each order including measurements, type of closure, and charm placement if applicable. When ordering multiple waist beads, measurements should vary at least 1/8 of an inch in difference. 

Bead Size: Medium to Large, 8/0 to 6/0

All waist beads are smudged/cleansed with sage or Palos Santos. Please indicate in the notes during checkout if you have any preference for this process.

Please note that variations may appear in each product.