Happy "ugulu"everyone!
There is a saying in the igbo culture that goes "men look for wives during the harmattan season as only the truly beautiful women stay beautiful in harmattan" guys, true or very true?. Some people literally look like they will catch on fire, if you struck a match and held it close to them, while others constantly look like they haven't had a bath (even when they just did), during harmattan season. Harmattan is a strong trade wind that blows from the North-East, over the sahara, to the West African region on the globe. Thus, it is also called North-East trade wind. It arrives west africa in early December, stays till about February and is usually dusty and dry. It consequently results in a fall in relative humidity from about 60% (during the rainy season) to about 10% - very drastic fall indeed. Harmattan results in: dry coughs, chapped lips, drying and breaking of hair, breaking of the soles of the feet, and drying and scaling of skin (usually worse for those who already have dry skin). So this harmattan season, your checklist should include: chap sticks or lip balm (not lip gloss please), sheabutter (or petroleum jelly) to lock in moisture from your bath, warm clothing (cardigans or woolen vests), and lots of water to keep your body (hair and skin especially) hydrated. Drinking lots of water also helps keep the dry coughs away. Warm baths should also be considered during the harmattan. For asthmatics, have your inhalers handy always and possibly keep spares about. Ladies stay supple, catch that husband this harmattan season!
There is a saying in the igbo culture that goes "men look for wives during the harmattan season as only the truly beautiful women stay beautiful in harmattan" guys, true or very true?. Some people literally look like they will catch on fire, if you struck a match and held it close to them, while others constantly look like they haven't had a bath (even when they just did), during harmattan season. Harmattan is a strong trade wind that blows from the North-East, over the sahara, to the West African region on the globe. Thus, it is also called North-East trade wind. It arrives west africa in early December, stays till about February and is usually dusty and dry. It consequently results in a fall in relative humidity from about 60% (during the rainy season) to about 10% - very drastic fall indeed. Harmattan results in: dry coughs, chapped lips, drying and breaking of hair, breaking of the soles of the feet, and drying and scaling of skin (usually worse for those who already have dry skin). So this harmattan season, your checklist should include: chap sticks or lip balm (not lip gloss please), sheabutter (or petroleum jelly) to lock in moisture from your bath, warm clothing (cardigans or woolen vests), and lots of water to keep your body (hair and skin especially) hydrated. Drinking lots of water also helps keep the dry coughs away. Warm baths should also be considered during the harmattan. For asthmatics, have your inhalers handy always and possibly keep spares about. Ladies stay supple, catch that husband this harmattan season!
A handy information to survive the harmattan period. My lips usually easily crack at this time. Thanks Eby!
ReplyDeleteOne chap stick for you!
DeleteVery true!
ReplyDeleteThat's "How to catch a husband in harmattan - 101"
Nice tips.
Asides the extreme dryness, I love the cold!
But I have a question: You specifically threw out lip gloss from the list of "to haves" - (not lip gloss please).
Please why is that?
Lip gloss wont moisturize. Thats why not lip gloss.
DeleteHmmmm wonderful indeed, u didn't mentioned enu Aku( palm kernel oil)
ReplyDeleteMix it with any cream to achieve best result .
Since there is artificial in everything nowadays those proverb don't work again.
U failed to mentioned that ugulu comes with ngana or laxyness, heartbreak preg. Ina nko(madness) etc . it has so many economic importance as well as negative ones .
Hahaha Chinemere, I honestly didnt know about the heart break and preganancy part. Thanks for the heads up. Palm kernel oil is perfect too.
DeleteVery helpful. And just to add, in case you forgot your jelly or balm at home, no problems, just buy akara or kpoff kpoff (puff puff) squeeze out some of the oil for your lips and face. Talk about using one puff to kill two birds. Thank me later
ReplyDeleteHahahahaha. John, Conveyor and Chinemere please you all can thank Nnamdy later.
DeleteNnamdy, they'll be thanking you for the bee stings or the incessant convergence of flies on their lips and faces abi?
Deletehehehehe.
Very wicked.
Would it be accurate to observe that dark-skinned Africans have it harder during harmattan than fair skinned types? If yes, any scientific/dematological reason for this?
ReplyDeleteI think it would be accurate to say that we are all equally affected.. what sepreates sheep from goats are different skin types, skin colour regardless.
DeleteHmm eby, re u sincere enough . in terms of preg it goes paripasua with heartbreak : in order to use d body temperature to keep warm. Married couples accidentally tear net while unmarried and not ready ones denied knowing anything u knw the rest of the story.
ReplyDeleteNnamdi u too much . it will equally give u a good scent and mouth watering . you will stand out
lol.
ReplyDeleteYou guyz are making my day.
Although Nnamdi seems to forget that 'flies' are on the rise this period.
Especially for those in the North.
Wearing ordinary perfume would make u a good perching ground.
Imagine when you have 'kpof-kpof' oil all over your mouth n face. 'evil-grin'.
Can't stop lafin at the sight I'm imagining.
Hahahaha..Nnamdy oya.
ReplyDelete