Women wearing ankle chains : Culture, fashion or depravity

This practice of wearing bracelets or ankle chains among women has become more frequent in certain countries including Benin.. This style, traditional in certain countries is considered fashion inclusive of all categories of women, from the juvenile layer to adults including adolescents.

Known its growth in the years 60, The wearing of anklets began with rebellious women, those who display a non-conformist position in relation to a subject. In India the wearing of this jewel is seen as a social recognition and this thanks to these rebellious Indian women returning from the West who established it and today ingrained in Indian culture. They exist in models and colors, and those required are the type of ceremony. They also wear it on both ankles. A West African country like Côte d'Ivoire in certain regions recognizes this practice in its morals and customs.. During traditional wedding ceremonies, the woman is asked to wear it to signify that she is no longer free, that it now belongs to a man and that the ancestors approve of this union. At the Sénoufos of Ivory Coast, this jewel is worn during initiation ceremonies, funerals or certain celebrations. It is mostly made of bronze., lost wax or brass. Much more in certain regions of Burkina Faso or Congo, we receive ankle bracelets as a dowry. The fiancé must offer several pairs of bracelets on his feet before he can talk about marriage. Among the Peulhs and the Wolofs, relate Beninwebtv, the number of chains on your feet determines the wealth of the family you belong to. The more there are, the richer you are.

From worship to fashion…

In Benin, this style is adopted, in the past only by a few “vodounsi”, fans of certain fetishes. The latter wear this bracelet on their feet and often, in cowries, in times of great communication with the divinity who embodies them. But for several years, young Beninese women have worn bracelets or anklets, their style. Anifath D. student at the University of Parakou (Up), informe Daabaaru, never goes out without her pearls on her feet. “It’s an accessory that she generally wears on her right ankle,” she says, to bring out her “fashionista” side.. She clarifies that she did not receive support from those close to her, who instead judged her based on pre-received ideas about girls wearing pearls.. According to the same source, Mireille Adjovi decided to wear pearls on her feet just to please herself, despite the criticism, “I always liked it when women wore pearls on their feet, it's pretty. I wear it a lot more when I’m in a good mood”, she confided.

Nice but….

If this ornament with its diverse models is pretty to see, it sometimes takes on hidden symbols or codes depending on the culture that only the initiated master. In a time now gone, legend has it that wearing your anklet on the right or left could reveal your sexual attraction. Indeed, wearing it on the right signified the heterosexuality of the person, while wearing it on the left was a sign of the person's homosexuality or bisexuality. Under other skies, women who wore them were considered prostitutes. This identity jewel does not often have good press because it is a symbol of libertinage. “You have to be a woman of a certain tendency before having the courage to wear bracelets or ankle chains. Because they are seen as women of a certain emancipation” points out the literary scholar Armel Alofa. Which indicates that no one stood up to put a chain on their feet because there were too many prejudices around. This is the case in ancient Egypt. Women who like this style are treated as prostitutes in the land of the Pharaohs., that is to say those who have sexual relations with men in exchange for money.

Followers of this style defend themselves

Give me Amina, Guinean resident in Benin explains that today wearing bracelets or ankle chains is part of women's clothing to make themselves more beautiful. Reason why, she has a multitude of them and which she wears to choose the color of her outfit. “Many Guineans do it and Guinea does not see it in any way as a means of prostitution”, she hinted. She goes further by talking about earrings which are placed at the top of the ears : “It makes women pretty and I wear it. The majority of Guinean men appreciate and sometimes encourage their wives. Remember that these jewelry are made from gold metals, money and others. There are some in pearls too ». Comments that a Togolese woman adds: “Wearing bracelets or ankle chains makes you beautiful and my husband loves that personally” thinks Adjokè to highlight the seductive side of foot chains. For Beninese Hortense, it's all a question of conscience and taste. “Not all women who carry are necessarily prostitutes”, she proclaims.

Beyond aspects of pleasure and beauty, wearing bracelets or ankle chains, plays another role according to a girl of joy. That of a sex worker. “When I wear the chains on my foot with the loops placed at the top of the ear I am quickly identified. This is the method our elders used, This is history and we have no choice, it’s the job”.

Paperless administration, women wear ankle chains to respect the tradition specific to their culture, this style continues to reflect negative images in other countries.

Aristide CODO (Stag)