The Marula Tree

By Janine Deane-Dinnis

Africa is rich in tradition. It is the land of legends which generations share. The Marula tree features in many of these legends. It truly is one of Africa’s miracles.

Another name for the tree is the Elephant Tree. Elephants love the fruit! They go to great lengths and travel long distances to get the fruit during harvest season.

An African Legend

Legend has it that Hare acted kindly towards Elephant when he helped him find water during a year of drought. Elephant rewarded Hare with a tusk. Hare planted the tusk in his garden, which grew into a beautiful fruit-bearing tree which he named Marula. But so dear was the tusk to Elephant that to this day he seeks it out under the Marula tree. There Elephant consumes hundreds of kilograms of the fruit to sustain him on his mission.

The Sacred Tree

But it’s not just elephants that have a fondness for the Marula tree. African people consider the tree to be sacred. Big with leafy foliage, Marula trees offer a good amount of shade. This make them perfect for community meetings and ritual activities.

Marula trees grow in the wild and not cultivated. Local chiefs from Ethiopia to South Africa protect them on communal lands. In South Africa there are strict policies in place to ensure environmentally friendly treatment and sustainable harvesting of Marula fruit.

The Venda People

Marula trees are dioecious, which means they are gender specific. This brings to life the belief by the people of Venda. They believe that an infusion of the marula trees’ bark can help determine the gender of an unborn child.

If a woman desires a baby boy, an infusion from the bark of the male tree is given.

If she’d like a baby girl, an infusion from the female tree is given. But, if the child born is of opposite gender, it is thought to be very special. Because it was able to defy the spirits.

Flowers

Marula trees produce flowers from September to November and the female tree bears fruit between January and March. The ripe fruit falls from the trees and therefore harvested by hand. Being drought resistant and having the ability to yield an exceptional amount of fruit per tree, up to 500 kg, marula contributes to the social economic development of African communities by generating a guaranteed source of income that helps improve living standards.

Nothing Goes to Waste

The belief is that the bark of the Marula tree has medicinal properties, subsequently, widely used in traditional African medicine for ailments such as dysentery to rheumatism.

A light brown dye is made from the tree too, to colour traditional wares.

Itches and pains such as burns, spider bites and abscesses can be treated by rubbing leaves on the affected area. And many chew the leaves to relieve heartburn.

The wood is soft and used for carving a variety of goods – bowls, pestle and mortars, drums beehives and canoes.

The Marula fruit is tart, juicy and extremely nutritious with very high levels of vitamin C whehter eaten raw or cooked. Marula jam, juice and jelly are popular in many communities . And of course, when fermented, Marula makes lovely beer and a popular liqueur.

Two drinks are made using the skin of the fruit:

• A refreshing drink – when boiling the skin of the fruit.
• A a coffee substitute – when the skin is burnt.

‘Miracle Oil’

The oil is today still invaluable in medicinal and skincare regimes. Many traditional beauty rituals include the Marula tree.

And therefore wonderful to protect the skin and hair from the harsh African climate.

Marula oil hit the global beauty market a few years back and has successfully secured a spot as one of the most sought-after skincare oils.

The oil, extracted from the kernel of the fruit, is light with a non-greasy feel. The molecular structure is similar to, and mimics, the lipids (oils) produced by our own bodies. Consequently, it is easily metabolised. Key to its efficacious skin benefits is its ability to moisturise, nourish and protect the skin.

Sacred Marula Harvesting

Every year in February the traditional healers and elders in the village bless the sacred fruits. Oil production begins with the harvesting of the fruit. Again the elders bless the fruits.

Then, in the early hours, and before sunrise, healers play their drums under the Marula tree. They chant and thank the ancestors for the abundant gifts of the fruit.

In the Beauty Industry

Marula oil is rich in vitamins C and E, which help protect against free radical damage and promote the production of collagen and elastin resulting in effective defence against premature ageing.  High levels of essential fatty acids, like omegas-6 and -9, help keep the skin nourished by improving its ability to hold moisture deep in its layers.

The oil is beneficial for all skin types, from oily to dry (including sensitive, reactive and sun damaged skin). Its antimicrobial properties make it ideal for treating acne blemishes and scarring. It helps keep the skin moisturised by creating a barrier to prevent trans-epidermal water loss and, powerful antioxidants help reduce redness through their anti-inflammatory properties.

Above all, Marula oil is truly Africa’s miracle oil.

***The Plastic Problem also by Janine***