Historicizing Indigenous Knowledge in Black Soap (Ose-Dudu) Production: For Sustainable Economic Development in South-West Nigeria

This paper examines the historicity of black soap production among the Yoruba people of South-West Nigeria. Extant studies have investigated the benefits, efficiency, and dermatological properties of black soap, and some scholars have looked into the consumption, sale, and use of the product. Some scientists analyzed the comparative chemical analysis of black soap, while little has been expensed on historicizing the production process, the historical antecedents of this age-long craft, the challenges of the producers, and the gap that this paper intends to fill. The paper adopted the historical method using both primary and secondary sources. The oral interview was conducted in two local government areas, Ejigbo local government in Osun State and Afijio local government in Oyo State, where the production of Black soap was predominant. The research instruments used are: Focus Group Discussion (FGD), Unstructured Questionnaire (UQ) and Observation were used to gather information for this study. 30 women were interviewed at the local site 'Ebu' in Ifeodan, and 25 women and 5 men were interviewed at Awe and Jobele in Afijio LG. The research found out that Awe town was the earliest producer of quality black soap in the area, but as of today, Ifeodan has become a fast-growing producer of this local black soap, aged women between 65-70+ still engaged actively in the work which they inherited from their ancestors and have transferred the knowledge to their children. Men have actively engaged in the business. The work, though laborious, still attracts young women of today because of the profit accruing from the business.