SOAP MAKERS AND THEIR INGREDIENTS

Bubble, bubble in the cauldron — what must brew for the cleansing potion?

A Soap Made by Women

The ritual often begins with a circle of women gathered around a fireplace. The essentials are simple: a wooden stick, the raw ingredients, fire, and a massive pot — sometimes shaped like a cauldron(fig.1), other times more like a barrel(fig.2). The process begins by sun-drying and roasting the key ingredients, which are then turned into ash. This ash is used to create a lye solution (also called ash water),from the following:

$$ \textbf{\small PALM~LEAVES} $$

$$ \textbf{\small COCOA~PODS} $$

$$ \textbf{\small PLANTAIN~TREE~BARK} $$

These form the base of the soap.The mixture is then boiled together, stirred by hand.(fig.2)

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More water and oils are then added to the plant material**.**

PALM KERNEL OIL

The mixture is stirred continuously for hours until it thickens and begins to solidify. This creates a thick paste(fig.3), which is then formed into balls**(fig.4)** or other desired shapes**(fig.5)** and left to cure for several weeks, allowing the soap to cool and harden.The recipe is often adjusted based on consumer needs. Most of the time women are the soap-makers as a means of earning income and sustaining everyday life.

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COCONUT OIL

THE INGREDIENTS

Black soap’s ingredients list travels with its maker.

The core remains the same — ash and water — but the additives vary: camwood, olive oil, olive pits, honey, moringa, neem, or even aloe vera. These ingredients depend on the region and what is abundant or readily available.

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A Spotlight on Camwood

Native to the forests of West Africa, camwood is easily recognized by its reddish hue. Once ground into a fine powder, this precious resource is commonly used to treat various skin concerns, particularly as a gentle exfoliant for babies and to soften the skin as part of a skincare routine.

Camwood is also an important staple in the soapmaking process of black soap. For centuries, it has benefited communities not only through skincare but also in the making of natural dyes, traditional woodworking, and beauty products—including the well-known Dudu Osun soap.

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