Beauty Out of Africa

More of the Magic of Black Soap

I received many inquiries about the origins and uses of  of West African Black soap at a soap conference last week, so I am republishing a blog article that ran a few months ago.

Origins

Black Soap, Ose Dudu or Alata Samina is a true West African Soap. Black soap has it's origins among the Yoruba in Nigeria, but receives more widespread use and production among the Ghanians.

Legend has it that the black soap was introduced to Ghana many years ago, by Yoruba traders doing business in Ghana. These traders were women and many were in the business of selling tomatoes and peppers. They were called the Alatas (Pepper Sellers). Samina is an Akan word for soap. The word Alata Samina, coined by Ghanians, means 'The Pepper Traders Soap'.

What is Black Soap

Black soap is a dark colored cleansing bar. It is soft and porous and dissolves faster than most cold press soaps. Black soap produces a very rich lather and gives the skin a clean soft feel. Many users claim that Black soap clears up acne, eczema, blemishes and discolorations. Black soap is 100% natural, Organic and Vegan in origin and process.

Varieties of Black Soap

The color varies from jet black to light brown depending on the ingredients used in making the soap. The basic ingredients used in black soap are Shea Butter, Red Palm Oil, Coconut Oil, Roasted Plantain Skins, Roasted Cocoa Pods. Other additives like Agoa bark, scents and other oils are optional. The darker soaps tend to have more of the roasted plantain skin in the ingredients. The oxidation from the plantains make the soap bar darker. For a lighter bar more roasted cocoa pods are used. Black soap does not contain conventional lye, however the ash from roasting the plantain and cocoa pods are the local equivalent of lye that are used in the saponification process.

Who Uses Black Soap?

In spite of it's African origins, black soap is suitable all ethnicities and works especially well for troubled acne prone skin.

Where to Buy it

Black soap is sold in bulk bars that can be cut into smaller bars or you can buy our individually wrapped bath size bars. See our selection of black soaps.  These soaps are available in wholesale quantities for reselling online or at local farmers markets

Some Uses of black soap

1. Cleansing bar for face and body


2. Face mask for acne prone skin


3. Skin Brightening and removal of blemishes


4. Shampoo bar


5. Can be re-batched into a cold press bar

We welcome comments and suggestions on you experience using Black soap.

The Multiplier Effect on the Shea Butter Value Chain

New shea processing facilities are coming online, creating jobs and expanding the market for millions of women who collect shea nuts to sustain their livelihoods. Processing shea in West Africa creates jobs in the region.

A USAID Trade Hub study indicates that every $1,000 increase in sales of shea nuts in rural villages leads to an additional $580 in new household income in Malian communities; this “multiplier effect” is likely similar across the region.

As more jobs and more income are generated, opportunities for value addition increase.

Excerpt taken from:http://www.watradehub.com/activities/tradewinds/feb11/global-shea-alliance-top-agenda-shea-2011-sustainable-solutions

Mobile Technology Improves Womens lives in the Shea Sector

In Ghana, mobile phone-based software applications have improved the lives of 1,500 impoverished rural shea nut pickers. This network of women is organized into 83 groups, with each group’s leader possessing a mobile phone, through which the women can get local market price information via SMS. Once they sell their produce, they also get a view into the global supply chain for shea butter. A Stanford University study found that the new technology has significantly improved the women’s income — anywhere from between 59 percent and 82 percent.

Excerpt taken from: http://blogs.reuters.com/davos/2011/01/26/the-future-of-business-mobile-technology/

Sustainable Shea Butter

The local producers are ultimately the caretakers of the shea trees. They make the management decisions about the future of the tree and the ecological integrity of the landscape.

Fair Trade encourages the women to value the Shea trees that grow in their areas. When they know that the fruits from the tree bring in a good income, they will protect the tree from being cut down and used for firewood.

Sustainable Shea Butter

The local producers are ultimately the caretakers of the shea trees. They make the management decisions about the future of the tree and the ecological integrity of the landscape.

Fair Trade encourages the women to value the Shea trees that grow in their areas. When they know that the fruits from the tree bring in a good income, they will protect the tree from being cut down and used for firewood.

Sustainability and Fair Trade

Promoting Fair Trade that benefits the local producers, is the key to keeping the shea butter business sustainable. The local producers are ultimately the caretakers of the shea trees.  They make the management decisions about the future of the tree and the ecological integrity of the landscape.

Fair Trade encourages the women to value the Shea trees that grow in their areas. When they know that the fruits from the tree bring in a good income, they will protect the tree from being cut down and used for firewood.

Sustainability and Fair Trade

Promoting Fair Trade that benefits the local producers, is the key to keeping the shea butter business sustainable. The local producers are ultimately the caretakers of the shea trees.  They make the management decisions about the future of the tree and the ecological integrity of the landscape.

Fair Trade encourages the women to value the Shea trees that grow in their areas. When they know that the fruits from the tree bring in a good income, they will protect the tree from being cut down and used for firewood.