Beaded garments have a long tradition in the Yoruba culture and still today are an integral part of the group's cult and cultural life. The exceedingly labourious and time-consuming production of these intricately designed beaded shirts and capes is done largely by women. Merely the process of threading the glass beads onto the extremely thin, long thread demands a great deal of time and patience. The demand for such beaded shirts and capes is currently still very great, as the chieftains and dignitaries at the head of the community's hierarchical culture always want to adorn themselves with these splendid garments at traditional celebrations. The appliqués depicting animals have a symbolic character and are intended to transfer certain qualities of the animals to the wearer. Originally the privilege of adorning oneself with beaded garments such as these was reserved exclusively for the queen and a few high-ranking dignitaries. The traditional laws and prohibitions have been relaxed over time, however, and today even less important "chiefs" - who, of course, nonetheless consider themselves very important - appear at festivities and ritual events in this magnificent attire.