Every September South Africans commemorate their Heritage, specifically on the 24th of September by celebrating and remembering our heritage of the many cultures that make up the South African population.
What many people don’t realize is how Beauty, Skincare, and Aesthetic treatments originate from ancient Africans. The most interesting and trendy beauty trends in the world right now- come from a variety of African tribes and yes, the world is mimicking and enhancing them, making a billion-dollar industry out of our cultural construct/history.
So #bgang… let’s explore how beauty is a definitive instrument in our culture as Africans. If you’re having a tough time trying to convince your family why your tattoos and piercings are not satanic OR why your red lipstick does not make you Lucifer’s wife OR why dropping “5 million” of your non-existent money at Dischem is culturally correct — then keep reading (and thank me later).
The oldest tattoo ever found was on an Egyptian mummy (not your momma) around 2000 BCE. One Egyptologist believes these tattoos symbolized and represented rejuvenation and fertility in women, whilst the male tattoo-baring mummies found in Egypt, Libya, and other African countries seemed to have been tatted to show commitment and devotion to sun worship.
Do you know what that means?! You can now tell your momma that you’re getting a tattoo to show your devotion to god, exactly like your greatest and wisest forefathers did.
In African cultures, tattoos have always been seen as a way to cure diseases, protect against evil spirits, show affiliation towards certain groups/tribes, and reflect positive personality traits.
Then we have makeup. Body adornment with paints, powders, oils, and perfumes is nearly as old as humanity itself, with possible evidence of makeup powders in a South African cave dating back to 164,000 BCE. Imagine!
Typically, the sophistication of adornment reflected a person’s social status but beyond that, it was also believed that it warded off evil spirits so basically, makeup in ancient Africa was not seen as choice.
In fact Cosmetics are even mentioned in the old testament— Kings 9:30 where Jezebel painted her eyelids—approximately 840 BC—and the book of Esther describes various beauty treatments as well. This is probably why God never allows our cards to decline when we’re at that yellow and green pharmacy that we all love to hate.
Remember our favourite miracle treatment? Exfoliation? (check out my last blog)
Well, that too is an ancient African practice, with dry brushing being notably common.
Cleopatra used dead sea salt in her baths to enhance her exfoliation… might I add- African bath salts are also known to ward off evil.
The Hamman Bath, now known as the Turkish Steam Bath, is an ancient beauty ritual in the Northern parts of Africa by women as a form of body purification.
While face masks are a huge deal in Zimbabwe and Ethiopia, they’re a huge deal in SA too. Only our masks were usually raw clay and water whilst In Zimbabwe, they use Okra face masks and Ethiopia uses Qasil leaf powder.
Almost every makeup product owes its existence to Africa and its raw materials.
We are blessed to still be on this beautiful land with access to these raw materials from which modern-day makeup and cosmetics derive.
As we celebrate Heritage month, let’s not forget our beauty-filled history.