Beads, small and often colorful, have captivated humanity for millennia. They adorn our bodies, symbolize our beliefs, and connect us to our heritage. Gen Zs are now embracing this tradition, finding new ways to express themselves through these timeless adornments.
24-year-old Vivian Kabono, a creative beads designer known as Vivy Kabz, echoes this sentiment, saying beadwork is a deep connection to cultural traditions and spiritual beliefs. In many communities, beads signify important aspects of life, such as marital status. “When you look at different communities,” Vivian notes, “there is an aspect of a married woman and the type of beads that they are supposed to wear.”
Nathan Letoluo, a member of the Maasai community, shares this perspective, highlighting that beadwork is not just fashion but a reflection of his identity. “Wearing them makes me feel proud, powerful, and grounded. In Maasai culture, every colour and design has meaning—red for bravery, blue for energy, white for purity. When I wear beads, I carry those meanings with me. It is also a symbol of heritage and continuity; many of us learn beadwork from our mothers and grandmothers, so there is a beautiful generational bond. It is not just an accessory; it is a language of identity, emotion, and respect,” Nathan, a Genz says.
Vivian sees beadwork as a potent symbol of local and global identity, embodied in her slogan “carry nyumbani with you.” She believes Kenyans in diaspora can also travel with locally designed beads to promote their culture, as international celebrities have been captured wearing beads patterned with Kenyan flags over the years.
Nathan adds that beads can be used to promote Kenyan culture globally through fashion and art and tell stories about the Maasai, Samburu, and Turkana who adore them. “This can open up conversations about our values, history, and the beauty of our traditions, helping the world see Kenya through our eyes,” he says. Yaba reinforces this idea, stating, “By staying true to our heritage, we’re creating music that stands out globally because it carries depth, identity, and authenticity. It’s not just about entertainment—it’s about preserving history and passing it on through sound.”
Maureen Mwangi, a Gen Z professional in PR, adds that beads, beyond being an expression of her personal style, create a sense of connection and shared identity, evoking a feeling of home for Kenyans abroad.
She remembers spending her childhood making beadwork, adding, “It is something that I have grown knowing that it is part of my beauty, it is part of my personal expression.”
Beads also hold deep spiritual meaning, with some viewed as protection against negative powers. The “protective eye” pattern is famed for ‘shielding one’ against an evil eye. Beyond these traditional uses, Gen Zs are finding new, personalized ways to express affection and connection through beads.
A recent report by Dazed highlights this trend, noting that Gen Zs are hand-picking beads that match the colour of their loved ones’ eyes, stringing them into bracelets and waist beads – a hyper-personalized emblem of love. This trend, popularized on TikTok, represents extreme intimacy and DIY creativity. For example, the “matching-eyes” bracelet trend often features a mix of seed beads in varying shades of brown, green, or blue to mimic the intricate patterns of the recipient’s iris. Dazed notes the eye colour bracelet trend from TikTok has 104.4 million related posts.
Capitalizing on this cultural trend, brands are also incorporating beadwork into modern designs to promote local culture and connect with their consumers. Wainaina notes that the KC label was a way to create something that speaks to both the old and the new.
Kenya Cane’s latest offering, the Lemon & Ginger flavour, taps into this cultural statement, promoting the Kenyan spirit as a Made in Kenya drink with Maasai beads, Matatu art, Nairobi skyline, and Kenyan Sports excellence featured on its artwork. As a local brand made in Kenya by Kenyans for Kenyans, Kenya Cane also actively supports local DJs, MCs, and artists at its events, providing them with opportunities to earn a living while celebrating Kenyan culture and heritage.
Edwin Wainaina, the logo designer behind Kenya Cane’s vibrant new label, shares this sentiment: “The KC label was such a fun project for me—it all started with a deep love for the things that make Kenyan culture so bold and beautiful.”
Wainaina’s design, which incorporates Maasai beads, Matatu art, and other iconic Kenyan symbols, aims to create “something that speaks to both the old and the new—a visual bridge between generations.”
This connection to heritage resonates with Yaba, a musician famed as the Prince of Rhumbacane, who notes, “Culture is the foundation of everything we do. As cultural musicians, we draw deeply from our roots—language, sounds, rhythms, and traditional instruments—to create something that’s not just music, but a reflection of who we are. I’ve been telling stories and keeping the culture of music alive from the beloved classics (“Zilizopendwa”), to Rhumba (“Rhumbacane”), and now contemporary hits (“Zitakazopendwa”). It’s a journey that connects generations, evolving with time but still rooted in tradition. I’ve connected millennials and Gen Z with this music.”
Yaba adds that by staying true to her heritage, she creates music that stands out globally because it carries depth, identity, and authenticity. “It’s not just about entertainment—it’s about preserving history and passing it on through sound,” she emphasizes.
“Beads go beyond decoration; they carry meaning. In traditional music and culture, beads represent identity, status, and heritage. Each color, pattern, and placement can tell a story—whether it’s royalty, spirituality, or a rite of passage. When I wear beads during performances as a Prince of the Rhumbacane Kingdom, it’s full of style and fashion. I’m not just accessorizing—I’m honoring my ancestors, invoking energy, and visually expressing the soul of the music. They’re a bridge between sound and symbolism, making the entire experience more powerful and connected.”
It is at such events where Vivian Kabono says the power of beads extends beyond personal expression and is used to connect people and promote artistic movements. She is currently creating bracelets for a music artist under a slogan “The Movement,” a project that allows fans to show their support and spread the word about the artist’s message. Yaba, as the Prince of Rhumbacane, understands this connection deeply: “When I wear beads during performances…I’m not just accessorizing—I’m honoring my ancestors, invoking energy, and visually expressing the soul of the music. They’re a bridge between sound and symbolism, making the entire experience more powerful and connected.”
Whether embracing versatile pieces or personalizing your style with bead charms, let your accessories tell a story of heritage, craftsmanship, and progress.