A Touch of Africa

I held my first piece of West African Kente cloth when I was about 15 years old. The artistry of the cloth was like nothing I had ever seen! I fell in love with the brilliant colors, the distinctive designs, and the rich texture of the fibers. My brother, who had purchased the cloth from a trader in New York, told me that each symbol conveyed a different meaning and each design told a different story. It captured my imagination to think that these glorious strips of art were handmade by people in Africa.

Those colorful cloth strips did more to educate me about the culture of Africa than all the years I’d spent watching Tarzan on television. Surely, there was more to Africa than I’d ever thought! My sister made the strips of cloth into neckties and pocket squares for my father and brothers and I was hooked. I loved those splashes of color against their dark suits and that distinctive cultural flair the cloth gave. And the idea of wearing something so beautiful made in a land that held such mystery and history for me—wearing a touch of Africa—was exciting!

I have learned a lot more about Mother Africa since then and had the great fortune to visit Nigeria some years ago. I still get excited about the beauty and creativity expressed so explicitly in African textiles and products. And I still love to incorporate that characteristic flair into my personal style and home.

A Touch of Africa is a place where we can share our best ideas for adding cultural flair to our homes and lifestyles. It is a place where we can learn more about African artistry in everyday products. It is a place where we can embrace our authentic selves and exchange techniques for natural hair and skin care. Won’t you join me? I’m glad you’re here!

I gave up using bar soaps more than 20 years ago. They left my skin feeling dry, no matter how “pure” they claimed to be or how much “skin cream” or moisturizers they claimed to contain. I dived into the growing market of liquid soaps in all their fragrant varieties, found some favorites, and stuck by them, adding or deleting from the mix over the years. I was increasingly dismayed with how expensive these products had become, and in recent years, found it more and more difficult to find an affordable product that smells good, lathers well, contains natural ingredients, and comes packaged to last longer than a week!

Dudu Osun is an authentic African Black Soap made in Nigeria.

I remember hearing about African Black Soap years ago, but never tried it until this year. Oh, what I had been missing! The brand I use is Dudu Osun and it is made in Nigeria. I was skeptical, at first—after all, it comes as a bar—but, the first time I used it, I was blown away by the volume of luscious lather it made and its fresh, really fresh fragrance. Not sweet, not heavy, just light, earthy, and clean. Between showers the fragrance permeated my bathroom. Just smelling it made me want to jump into the shower! Its all-natural ingredients—including tropical honey, aloe, and shea butter—resonated with my move toward healthier, more natural and environmentally friendly living. On top of this, it was affordable, just about $4 from Kuumba Afrika Imports for a really thick bar that lasted more than a month (6 bars for $20)!

Authentic African Black Soap is handmade in West Africa and gets its name from its deep, earthy color. The exact recipe for the soap varies from region to region, but most include a blend of plantain skins, cocoa pod powder, and virgin coconut oil, in addition to the ingredients above. (It sounds good enough to eat, but I wouldn’t recommend that!) In its original form, black soap is not scented or shaped as bars. It is commonly available in 4 oz. or 8 oz. chunks or larger hunks wrapped in plain paper, and has a fragrance I can only describe as “essence of earth,” really fresh and clean! I also use this “raw” variety, but because it tends to crumble, it does not hold up well in the shower. Instead, I crumble it into a plastic, spouted bottle, add water, and let it sit, shaking it gently from time to time. After a few days, it melts into a luscious liquid soap in a bottle that is easy and convenient to pack for travel! Into this liquid form I sometimes add a few drops of an essential oil, such as lavender, rosemary, or patchouli, but I prefer it au naturel!

African Black Soap is gentle enough for babies’ skin. It is an excellent skin conditioner and all-over moisturizer that possesses excellent healing properties for a variety of skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, acne, and dry skin. As a shampoo, it gently deep cleans and conditions and is perfect for natural hair. Black soap can also be used as a nondrying facial and beauty soap and a conditioning men’s shaving lather.

Some products that claim to be “black soap” contain additives and ingredients that make them poor imitations at best. Be sure you are purchasing authentic black soap that is handmade in Africa. Be careful to check ingredients and reputation, if possible, before purchasing, then post your own African Black Soap experience and tips on A Touch of Africa!

Authentic African Black Soap contains no animal products.

More Wonders of African Black Soap

African Black Soap is a natural source of vitamins A & E and iron, which help strengthen skin and hair.

African Black Soap contains a high amount of glycerin, which helps skin absorb moisture from the air.

African Black Soap can help relieve acne and oily skin, clear blemishes, and sooth various other skin irritations.

African Black Soap is effective in preventing and fading stretch marks and soothing the dry skin that often accompanies pregnancy.

The shea butter in African Black Soap softens hair, while its vitamins strengthen it, making it an excellent shampoo.

Its high shea butter content makes African Black Soap an excellent men’s shaving lather that leaves skin smooth and helps alleviate shaving bumps.

African Black Soap contains no preservatives or color enhancers and creates a soft lather without animal fat additives.