A kandi bracelet is a type of bracelet made usually out of pony beads, and is a popular type of attire in scene or rave culture, particularly kandi culture. Although trading and going to raves is not necessary to make Kandi. Kandi bracelets are traditionally handcrafted, and some view store-bought kandi bracelets as diminishing their meaning.[1] They are frequently made with rainbow or lettered beads.[2]
Trading kandi is an important element of kandi culture, and is often done to memorialize a special moment shared with someone or a connection formed. It can be considered rude to trade away kandi bracelets received through a trade because it shows that the bond was broken.
"Kandi kids" is a term for those in the kandi trading subculture.[3][4][5]
History
[edit]The term 'kandi' may come from the phrase 'candy necklace'; when pronounced out loud, kandi and candy sound the same.[6]
Kandi bracelets may have evolved out of friendship bracelets;[7] friendship bracelets are often handmade and exchanged to commemorate a friendship, like kandi bracelets.[1] The idea that they started as a drug symbol is likely a myth based on the prevalence of club drugs at raves.[3]
Left vs right arm
[edit]Kandi bracelets kept on the right arm are available to trade, while those on the left arm are not.[8][9]
PLUR and trading
[edit]The PLUR handshake is done when exchanging kandi bracelets, with each element of the acronym represented by a step.[9][10][11] Sometimes, the words are said as the gestures are done:[6]
- Peace: A peace sign is made, and the two fingertips are each touched to each other.
- Love: Half of a hand heart is made by each party, with the two combining to form a single heart.
- Unity: Hands are clasped together, as in a high five.
- Respect: Fingers are clasped together. Kandi bracelets are, one at a time, moved to the other party's hand, using the non-clasping arm.
Often, the PLUR handshake is followed by a hug.[12]
Terminology
[edit]Kandi bracelets have kandi-specific terms to describe them.[3]
There are various common terms regarding the types of kandi you are able to make, they are as follows.
Stitch: An umbrella term regarding the specific types of kandi you are able to create. The two most common stitches are Multistitch, and Peyote stitch (even and odd). Most Kandi projects are based on these stitches in some way.
Cuff: Cuffs are any form of kandi bracelet that uses multiple layers. These can be Flat Panels, X bases or 3D cuffs
References
[edit]- ^ a b Small, Liz. "5 Things You Didn't Know About Kandi Bracelets". Relentless Beats. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
- ^ Buncsi, Carine (December 2014). "Why Kandi Keeps the Spirit of Rave Alive in the Us". Mixmag: 26.
- ^ a b c Weekly, L. A. (2017-03-03). "Inside the World of the Kandi Kids, Dance Music's Most Colorful Subculture". LA Weekly. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
- ^ "Introducing Kandi kids, a wholesome subculture birthed out of the American rave scene". Introducing Kandi kids, a wholesome subculture birthed out of the American rave scene. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
- ^ "Anatomy of a Kandi Kid". Rolling Stone.
- ^ a b T, Nate (2022-04-25). "What is Kandi? How do You Trade Them at Raves?". Retrieved 2023-02-08.
- ^ Beehler, Kiah (2019-10-04). "Exploring the role of kandi in our scene today (Opinion)". Dance Music NW. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
- ^ Tessene, Jessica (2018-03-25). "Kandi Etiquette: The Guide to Trading for First Timers". EDM Identity. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
- ^ a b iHeartRaves. "How to Trade Kandi at a Rave". iHeartRaves. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
- ^ kkussman (17 May 2020). "PLUR Handshake and the Exchanging of Kandi – Rave Culture | USC Digital Folklore Archives". Retrieved 2023-02-08.
- ^ "The Culture Behind Kandi | Kevin Taylor". sites.psu.edu. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
- ^ Packs, Lunchbox. "What is PLUR?". Lunchbox Packs. Retrieved 2023-02-08.