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Sierra Leone - Making Palm Oil
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Sierra Leone - Making Palm Oil
Sierra Leone - Making Palm Oil - crushing the fruits to release the oil. Date: circa 1910s
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Media ID 14244823
© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
Crush Crushing Leone Mar17 Mortar Palm Pestle Releasing Sierra
EDITORS COMMENTS
Sierra Leone: A Glimpse into the Traditional Process of Making Palm Oil in the 1910s This photograph offers a rare glimpse into the traditional process of palm oil production in Sierra Leone during the early 1900s. Palm oil, a staple in West African cuisine and economy, has been extracted from the fruit of the oil palm tree for centuries. The image showcases the labor-intensive process of crushing the ripe palm fruits to release their precious oil. The scene is set in a quaint village, with the lush greenery of the surrounding forest providing a serene backdrop. Two women, dressed in colorful wraps, stand over a large mortar and pestle, their expressions focused and determined. In their hands, they hold baskets filled with fresh palm fruits, their red kitsenge skirts stained with the remnants of the previous day's labor. The women begin the process by removing the outer husks of the fruits, revealing the nut-like kernels inside. These kernels are then placed in the mortar, and the women take turns pestling and crushing them with the heavy pestle. The oil slowly seeps out, coating the surface of the fruit and the sides of the mortar. The oil is then scooped out and collected in large calabashes, ready to be stored or used for cooking. This photograph provides a poignant reminder of the rich cultural heritage and the resilience of the people of Sierra Leone, who continue to maintain their traditional practices amidst the changing world. The process of making palm oil, though time-consuming and labor-intensive, remains an essential part of their daily lives and a testament to their deep connection with the land and its resources.
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