This man writes beautifully :-)
Friday, January 31, 2014
Monday, November 25, 2013
African clan names
With African history being mostly oral as opposed to written, most African tribes have long clan names that speak to who people are related to.
The clan name is the highest form of respect.
In Nguni tribes, a woman keeps her clan name after marriage and is referred to by it. In isiXhosa and isiZulu the prefix Ma- is added to the surname, in siSwati La- is added and in isiNdebele Na- is added.
Www.wakahina.co.za is a website that has different people's clan names.
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Monday, October 21, 2013
Mafura
In my search for natural emollient alternatives to things with petrolatum, the main ingredient in Vaseline, I came across Mafura butter.
Mafura butter is extracted from the kernels of the fruit of the Natal Mahogany (Trichilia Emetica) tree which is indigenous to African countries from Sudan to South Africa.
It is widely used in Mali, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
According to www.database.prota.org " In traditional medicine, various parts of Trichilia emetica are used for a wide variety of complaints. The bark soaked in water is used as an emetic, for treating intestinal ailments and as a purgative. It is used in small doses only as its effects can be violent. A decoction of the bark and roots is a remedy for colds, pneumonia and for a variety of intestinal disorders including hepatitis. In Senegal a macerate of root bark is used to treat epilepsy and leprosy, while in Mali powdered root is given to treat cirrhosis, river blindness, ascariasis and dysmenorrhoea. A decoction of the roots is also used to treat infertility and to induce labour in women. Leaves are taken in southern Senegal against blennorrhoea. In Zimbabwe the bark is used to induce abortion and as fish poison. The oil is consumed to relieve rheumatism and to treat leprosy and fractures."
The mafura butter I use is from Mozambique and I use it as a body moisturizer.
I prefer to mix my Mafura butter with melted raw cocoa butter and a little vanilla essential oil for scent.
Though perhaps nowhere near as interesting as its other uses, it pleases me to know its an Afrikan thing.
Mafura butter is extracted from the kernels of the fruit of the Natal Mahogany (Trichilia Emetica) tree which is indigenous to African countries from Sudan to South Africa.
It is widely used in Mali, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
According to www.database.prota.org " In traditional medicine, various parts of Trichilia emetica are used for a wide variety of complaints. The bark soaked in water is used as an emetic, for treating intestinal ailments and as a purgative. It is used in small doses only as its effects can be violent. A decoction of the bark and roots is a remedy for colds, pneumonia and for a variety of intestinal disorders including hepatitis. In Senegal a macerate of root bark is used to treat epilepsy and leprosy, while in Mali powdered root is given to treat cirrhosis, river blindness, ascariasis and dysmenorrhoea. A decoction of the roots is also used to treat infertility and to induce labour in women. Leaves are taken in southern Senegal against blennorrhoea. In Zimbabwe the bark is used to induce abortion and as fish poison. The oil is consumed to relieve rheumatism and to treat leprosy and fractures."
The mafura butter I use is from Mozambique and I use it as a body moisturizer.
I prefer to mix my Mafura butter with melted raw cocoa butter and a little vanilla essential oil for scent.
Though perhaps nowhere near as interesting as its other uses, it pleases me to know its an Afrikan thing.
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