Chic African Culture Africa Factbook

Did you know?

1. No African country names begin with the letters F, H, I, J, O, P, Q, V, W, X, or Y.

2. Africa is surrounded by water but by definition Africa is not an island because Africa is a continent.

3. The Republic of the Congo is one of the most urbanized countries in Africa.

Xhosa Tribe Made at Home Ingceke Sun Cream

South African Xhosa tribe traditionally make ingceke sun-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. 

Ingceke is a traditional broad spectrum sunscreen that provides black Africans skin protection from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. Sunscreen for African skin is essential in the unrelenting South Africa sun. Learn the use of Ingceke sunscreen cream made from the sausage tree.

Sunscreen Wearing south African tribal woman
Ingceke is a traditional broad spectrum sunscreen

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

The Xhosa traditionally make ingceke sun-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.

Fair-skinned people are likely to absorb more solar energy than dark-skinned people under the same conditions. Given the recognized public health benefits of sunscreen use, Africans use sunscreen with other sun protective measures to make a difference in how well they are able to protect themselves from sunburn, skin cancer, early skin aging and other risks of overexposure to the sun.

Sunscreen comes in many forms such as:

Lotions
Creams
Gels
Oils
Butters
Pastes
Sprays

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. South African Xhosa tribe traditionally make ingceke sun-cream at home. Ingceke sunscreen cream is made from the sausage tree, Kigelia africana.

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

  1. Historical African Country Name
  2. Top 20 Largest Countries in Africa
  3. How many countries does Africa have?
  4. Awesome Kenyan Woman
  5. Land is Not For Women in Sierra Leone
  6. African Kente Cloth Facts


Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=

Africa is surrounded by water but is not an island, here are a few African Island facts.

Madagascar is the 4th large island in the world and is located in the Indian Ocean supporting a unique biology, about 90% of its plants and animals are found nowhere else on earth.

Composed of 155 islands, Seychelles is Africa's smallest country. By far the largest island is Mahe, home to about 90% of the population and the site of its capital city of Victoria.

Cabo Verde has a strategic location 310 miles or 500 km from the west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site.

Africa is surrounded by water but by definition Africa is not an island because Africa is a continent. Continents can not be considered islands because of their size and also by historic definition since many people who study geography define islands and continents as two different things.

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African cultures express, encourage, and communicate energy

African cultures express, encourage, and communicate energy

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Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet are dedicated to discovering, collecting and sharing African history and heritage celebrating 14 years of service in 2021. Share and support in the pride of being part of an important cultural and educational resource.


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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Be better than average and support African history and culture. Since 2008 Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet highlight Africa through her food and culture. Contact us culture1africangourmet@gmail.com

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