Belts and cache-sexe have been used at all times and in all latitudes. Africa and Oceania offer the finest examples of cache-sexe because of their great originality in both form and material. Belts are more numerous, and a special place has been given to those from Asia. In Africa, Oceania, and South America, most of the material selected to make belts are found in the immediate vicinity, whereas ethnic groups in North Africa prefer brightly coloured woven belts, often combined with leather.

Apart from their everyday function belts and cache-sexe can also have symbolic value that reinforces their usefulness. And in this field some of them manage to transcend matter and meaning, and are quite simply beautiful objects.