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After several years of trying, finally it will happen. With a rented van, traveling companions and our Baobab Bag finisher we are off to the ladies who harvest, prepare and weave Baobab bags. Traveling the first day on what we once thought were rough roads, potholes and speed bump ridden wide dirt roads, our journey began. What we didn’t know was that the next day we would learn what “rough road” really means.
The map showed our route on a secondary and tertiary road. As we began driving the dusty secondary road, baobab trees appeared. Huge, towering, and spreading with a trunk that would take a dozen people to stretch hands around, the baobab commands attention. Climbing pins, barely visible in the folded and scarred trunk provide access to the multiple beehives hung in the massive limbs. Moving on, the herds boys, cows, goats, sheep and donkeys common to most of Kenya stroll the road and roadsides, as few vehicles travel here.
Every small fork in the road finds us asking, “Where is Tsheikuru?” Why is the way they choose always the,” One less traveled by?” But off we go. Now driving becomes an act of dodging rocks, ruts at least 2 feet deep and passing through the dry ditch where there once was a culvert, long since washed down with the seasonal torrent.
Huge volcanic peaks rise creating a beautiful driving distraction. The passengers become a bit nervous as the road drops sharply and curves around the mountainside. No guardrail on this small one lane road. As the vehicle moves slowly through small villages and past traditional homesteads, work stops to watch as the vehicle slowly picks its way through the rocks, holes and ditches, two wheels on the road, two wheels on the bushy angled roadside. That was the end of the secondary road.
No way I can maneuver the rocks, the riverbed and the long climb up the other side. But maneuver I must. We have come too far now to quit. Walk the course, identify immovable rocks, and mud holes. Move the moveable, eye measure the ditches and then trust. Slowly, ever so slowly straddle the ditch but don’t slip, a little left, a little right into the riverbed. Search for enough traction to spin up the other side. WOW! Wonderful!! Oops, A shiver of fear, I have to go back later. Now picking the way through the rocky, ditches seems easy. A little later, not another river!! This one is impossible, impassable. Have we come so far only to turn back? No, park the van and walk.
Down the bank, a hot, very hot, sandy riverbed burned holes through the soles of shoes. Relentless sun beating unmercilessly, I am truly glad I bothered to bring my hat. Does this river really fill up in the rains? The river’s banks loudly answer that question, as tall acacias lie tumbled into the river, more tell the story with their exposed roots.
Eventually our guide leads us up out of the searing riverbed onto a winding path. The path leads to a small mud hut in the bush. There, outside sitting on chairs, stumps and ground cloths are several Kamba ladies calmly chewing, making cordage and weaving. We have arrived!!
Taking our seats, the ladies begin to serve us warm soda and beans with rice, and show us how the process from Baobab tree to beautiful basket occurs. First the bark is cut from the tree in large rectangles. It is carried back to the shade at home where small strips are peeled off the tough exterior bark. The bark is then chewed. At first it is as dry as the dust, absorbing every drop of saliva.
Persevering through dry mouth, the saliva begins to respond and soon the hard dry bark is dripping and separating into fibers. Next the fibers are pulled and lengthened to prepare for the cordage process. Holding the fibers tightly in one hand against the flat of the thigh, the fibers are rolled against each other to form a thin firm thread. Fibers are added to the end to be twisted in until long strips of cordage are rolled into balls. Often the cream colored fibers are dyed with soot from the fire, roots, barks or berries. Once enough Baobab bark has been prepared the weaving begins.
The baskets are woven in several ways but most often using a spiral weave. Finally after about 5 weeks, the baskets are finished off and our order will be ready.
But the ladies will not let us leave quite yet. A song begins to roll, one of the women stands to dance. Such great laughter as we try to learn the hip thrusting, leg throwing dance of the Kamba.
Time is fleeting and we must leave. A bit more dehydrated, the long walk back to the van was slow and laborious. Never were we so glad to see the dusty vehicle and its cargo of bottled water.
Baobab Oil is made from the seeds of the baobab tree. The seeds are cold pressed and filtered. Cold pressing ensures that the valuable properties in the oil are not destroyed as could happen in a heated press.
Baobab Oil contains:
Vitamin D. Palmitic acid, Oleic Acid, Linoleic Acid. Omega 3, Omega 6 & Omega 9 Fatty Acids.
Why is Baobab Oil good for our skin?
Baobab Oil contains Ω-3 (Omega 3), Ω-6 (Omega 6) and Ω-9 (Omega 9) Fatty Acids. Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9 Fatty Acids are Essential Fatty Acids which are necessary for the maintenance of healthy skin. Liquid cold pressed oil from Flaxseed or Baobab are rich sources of Ω-3, Ω-6 and Ω-9 Fatty Acids.
What is an Essential Fatty Acid?
Essential fatty acids are a group of fatty acids which are required by the body. Like vitamins and minerals the body is unable to manufacture them. Thus they must be obtained through diet and by topical application to the skin. Fatty Acids can be depleted from the skin from over exposure to UV rays, poor health, poor immune systems and natural ageing. Certain drugs, such as steroids, can also deplete the skin layers of natural fats.
How can Essential Fatty Acids help our skin?
Essential Fatty Aids have the following functions in our skin:
They are important for cell membranes: Their molecules (metabolites) are one of the requirement for the structure of cell membranes.
They are important for regulating cell function: They form part of the process of producing postaglandins (a hormone like substance), which helps regulate cell function. They help 'water-proof' the skin: They help maintain the impermeability barrier of the skin and stop toxic substances from entering cells. Topical application can help alleviate various skin disorders such as chronic dry skin, thin skin, chronic brusing and sun spots. It can be used for people suffering from eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, skin cancer, scaly skin disorder and non-healing wounds, such as diabetic ulcers.
