Beads are symbols of status among the Kuba peoples of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and are associated with wealth and social, political, and spiritual authority. Beaded objects are worn in ceremonial and funerary contexts by title-holding individuals. This belt or hip adornment was plaited with tan beading, but has multicolored plastic beaded woven into one end. Historically, cowry shells and beads are imported goods and their use in decorating these objects denotes power and wealth of the wearer as well as the continuity of Kuba traditions.

---