African Food and Art

Thank you to our latest donor, Tony. Thank you, Tony. We were able to purchase three new stainless steel pots to continue our cooking and teaching heritage.

Ingceke African Sunscreen Lotion

Ingceke African Sunscreen Lotion, ever wonder why the Xhosa people of Africa smear their faces white?

Why do the South African Xhosa people of smear their faces white? The white creamy lotion is called ingceke and it's used as a sunscreen and skin ointment for protection and healing. Xhosa ingceke cream may look like paint for a traditional dance performance but it’s simply sunscreen. Sunscreen for African skin is essential in the South Africa sun.

The Xhosa traditionally make ingceke cream

The reason why the Xhosa people smear their faces white is for sunscreen against the African sun. 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 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.

Traditional Xhosa ingceke cream is not paint but the ash of the fruit of the sausage tree. The mature fruits of the bat pollinated Kigelia pinnata or sausage tree dangle from the long rope-like stalks.

Xhosa ingceke cream is not paint but the ash of the fruit of the sausage tree.

The sausage shaped fruits are up to two feet long and weigh up to 17 pounds. Ingceke cream is applied on the face and other exposed areas blocking the UV harmful rays of the sun. The ingceke cream is used by everyone who comes in contact with the sun and harsh wind, from male and female and the young and old Xhosa people.

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. In Xhosa culture, the sausage tree holds cultural and spiritual significance. It is often planted near homes or villages as a shade tree or for its ornamental value. 

The tree's unique appearance and impressive fruits make it a prominent feature in the landscape. The sausage tree fruit has traditional uses and ecological importance, it is not commonly consumed as a food by humans due to its taste and smell. The sausage tree fruit has a long history of traditional uses in African folk medicine. 

Various parts of the tree, including the fruit, bark, leaves, and roots, are believed to possess medicinal properties. The fruit is used in treatments for ailments such as skin conditions, fungal infections, rheumatism, and snakebites.

The region 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.

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