We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jolan Cunningham a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jolan , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

Creating IndigenousBodyBeads is one of the most meaningful projects I’ve put together. Among many reasons, this platform began from doing something I love and enjoy. Being raised by an entrepreneur, there was always huge emphasis on being self-sufficient. Better yet, earning any portion of your living via utilizing your gifts and talents. Sharing this creative art also allows me to maintain one of many important cultural traditions. As outlined in our name, body beads derive from early indigenous African Tribes. Symbolizing femininity, spirituality, and a rite of passage for young African women. They are more commonly known as waist-beads in these modern times and also pose as an essential tool for enhancing body awareness and self-adornment. They played a major role in my own journey to healing BBD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder) and establishing a sense of safety and acceptance in and of my body.

Jolan , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Jolan (Yah-lawn), I am a 23-year-old craftswoman, specializing in semi-permanent body jewelry. An accessory modernly known as waist-bead(s). I began making jewelry around the age of 11-13. I found solace in the tedious and intricate workings of the craft. After buying me my first set of waist-beads, my mom helped me realize how much better I felt about my body, anytime it could be held by a strand of these eye-catching beads. I began making my own version of the traditional beads and fell even more in love with the way they helped myself, my friends, and my family feel more joyous in their skin. Years later I started incorporating my love for genuine cuts of earth stone(s), crystal(s), and their healing properties into my waist-bead projects and came up with a strand(s) that was even more useful than the waist-bead(s) alone. Unlike waist-beads sold by large scale companies that tend to appropriate the custom while failing to acknowledge their historical significance; IndigenousBodyBeads prioritizes quality over quantity. My platform does not condone the capitalization of cultural customs of any kind belonging to a marginalized group. I am proud to offer herbal cleansed strands of crystal healing waist-beads, strung on an ultra-special thread for maximum durability. Yes, our strands can be worn for upwards of 6 months (sometimes longer) without breaking. I am proud of the mark I am making, not for myself, but for a culture of people, whose customs have been long buried and erased. I want anyone struggling with body related issues to know that waist-beads are a useful tool to help us remember to go within, to hold ourselves in moments of emotional intensity, and to show gratitude for what our bodies grow through.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

For the past few years of my life, I’ve had to unlearn the false record in my subconscious mind that diet culture has taught me about my body. The record that told me (growing up a young girl in a patriarchal society) that there were so many things wrong with my body. With how I walked, sat, ate, or dressed. I have had to unlearn the teachings of an unhealthy culture that often fails to foster a healthy sense of confidence and self-worth in girls coming of age in a male dominated society, where studies show girls and women are consistently marginalized for being female at all stages of development.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Shop “small” and local! Offer marginalized groups the opportunity to earn your business before large scale franchises.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://IndigenousBodyBeads.square.site
• Instagram: https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=fc51e87f3dc34872JmltdHM9MTcyNDk3NjAwMCZpZ3VpZD0xNmJkYjU0ZS1jYTQ3LTY1YjktM2U4Mi1hMWFjY2IyYjY0NjkmaW5zaWQ9NTIzNA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=3&fclid=16bdb54e-ca47-65b9-3e82-a1accb2b6469&psq=indigenousbodybeads.square.site&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9pbmRpZ2Vub3VzYm9keWJlYWRzLw&ntb=1
• Facebook: https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=b78bb51bdbd9e98eJmltdHM9MTcyNDk3NjAwMCZpZ3VpZD0xNmJkYjU0ZS1jYTQ3LTY1YjktM2U4Mi1hMWFjY2IyYjY0NjkmaW5zaWQ9NTIxMw&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=3&fclid=16bdb54e-ca47-65b9-3e82-a1accb2b6469&psq=indigenousbodybeads.square.site&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL0luZGlnZW5vdXNCb2R5QmVhZC8&ntb=1

Image Credits

N/A