Chic African Culture Blog

Sunscreen made from the sausage tree

Learn the use of Ingceke sunscreen cream made from the sausage tree.


The South Africanregion has Subtropical weather, during the summer months temperatures range from 74℉ - 92℉ (23℃ - 33℃) between September and April. January is usually the hottest month with hot and humid days. sunscreen then becomes an essential item.

 
Sunscreen Wearing south African tribal woman
Sunscreen

The white creamy sunscreen lotion for black South African skin is called ingceke. It is used as a sunscreen and skin ointment for protection and healing against the harsh South African sun and wind.

In the Eastern Cape Province conditions inland are usually drier and hotter and there is a lower rainfall level than at the coast.

The special sunscreen lotion for African skin made by the South African Xhosa tribe may look like paint for a traditional dance performance but it is simply sunscreen.

The Xhosa traditionally make ingceke cream which is a mixture of water and clay to protect themselves from the burning rays of the sun and used as skin ointment to treat rashes and eczema.

The popular ingceke cream is made from the fruit of the exotic sausage tree. The fruits are ground to a pulp, burnt to ash and pounded with water to make a white paste to apply to the face and body.

Xhosa ingceke cream is not paint but the ash of the fruit of the sausage tree. Sunscreen for dark skin is essential in the unrelenting South Africa sun. The Xhosa people of southeastern South Africa are the second largest cultural group in South Africa. 

Together we build awareness that boost harmony, education, and success, below are more links to articles you will find thought provoking.

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Being African in America I have grown up learning about different ethnic cultures. My father and mother are historians of African culture and history and their influence expanded my activities to several best-selling cookbooks, magazine columns, self-branded products, and a popular African culture and food blog.

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