Ṣòkòtò Tips: DIY Hair conditioner
We Yoruba people have a saying, ‘ohun ti a nwà lo Sókótó o wa lapo Ṣòkòtò’. This means what you are looking for by travelling thousands of miles to the State (Sókótó) is actually in your trousers (Ṣòkòtò).
I remember growing up, my grandmother had the most gorgeous hair and glowing skin. She would always ask me to ‘mo ẹsẹ’ (massage her legs) with this mixture she made herself. It was a mix of ori and Adi Agbon. As a young child I detested this task and saw it as a chore! Especially because I hated the smell of that mixture. It was only in my early twenties that I found out that the ori that I detested so much back then is actually what I was buying for £10 a tub from The Body Shop. I had no idea that ori is Shea Butter and Adi Agbon is coconut oil!
I had been going to Sókótó to get what was actually in my Ṣòkòtò!
I’ve decided to start this new Ṣòkòtò Tips series to unearth and present to you the products from Africa that we have under our noses which are not only excellent for our body physically but also mentally.
Today is all about hair and I’ll be sharing my top DIY Hair Conditioner.
My hair is natural because I like the texture of it in this state but it can get very frizzy and dry!
To combat this problem, here’s the DIY hair treatment I use.
Ingredients (Double up for longer hair):
- 2 tablespoons natural yogurt
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/4 teaspoons of Adi Agbon (coconut oil) for thin hair, 1/2 tsp for thicker hair.
- 1/4 teaspoons of Extra Virgin olive oil
Directions
- If your coconut oil is hard, go ahead and melt it down.
- Combine all of the ingredients;
- Work the mask into your hair, from the scalp to the ends.
4. Wrap hair with cling film and leave for 20 mins – 1 hour.
5. Wash as normal; if you use a conditioner, just a small amount on the ends will do.
6. Style your beautiful soft hair as normal.
We do this treatment once every two weeks to restore and maintain our hair.
Do you have any hair tips of your own? Please share.
I look forward to sharing more Ṣòkòtò Tips with you!
