The Authentic African Bath Sponge AKA Sapɔ
I always say, “Toss the loofah, thank us later,” but did you know that Ghana’s official first bath tool was originally very similar to a loofah? This bath tool is called Sapɔ (pronounced Sapo). The use of the original African Loofah, aka Sapɔ, dates back centuries and was used way before our magical mesh that we call LUV SCRUB Mesh Body Exfoliator. The meaning of Sapɔ in Ghana is used for anything that is used to take a bath or clean oneself. It is made from a stringy bark-like material that grows from a tree. There are several trees that grow this special loofah-like African bath sponge. A few of the trees are called Bekye, Abaapee, and Ntwetwehoma. These trees grow only in rural parts and not in the city. My Dad said that growing up, he would see these beautiful trees growing next to my grandfather’s cocoa farm near Biniani (outside of Kumasi).
The original Sapɔ was loved by many of my fellow Ghanaians and was a staple before the nylon African mesh bath cloth was introduced in the seventies. Believe it or not, this African mesh exfoliator is newer and has not been used for centuries, as some have claimed. Hence, we at LUV SCRUB state that it has been used for generations. How do I know this? My parents used the original Sapɔ growing up and started using the African mesh cloth once they arrived in the United States. How it was discovered is still a mystery. According to my Dad, someone used the mesh cloth out of the blue and realized it was a great way to clean your skin; the rest is history. It’s that simple. I was around the age of five when my Mom handed the mesh cloth to me in 1982.
There was a lot to love about the original African loofah. Sapɔ cleans and exfoliates the skin well, and it’s a plus that it is natural from a tree. It comes in different shades, light and dark “toasted.” Despite its natural form, it is long-lasting and dries fast due to the hot temperatures in Ghana. With these great benefits, there is also a downside. With time, the stringy bark clogged the plumbing, which caused a lot of issues for septic systems. It worked well for people who lived in rural areas and villages that did not have the sophisticated septic systems that you would find in more modern areas. So when the cloth was introduced in the early seventies, it was easy for my fellow Ghanaians to transition. The African mesh cloth overall has so many benefits. It lasts longer than Sapo, and you can reach your back with ease. Meanwhile, you need to ask someone to scrub your back with Sapɔ.
My Dad in the early seventies when he first started using the African Mesh Cloth to take his bath/shower.
The original Sapɔ is still available today, but not at the scale (it’s almost extinct) that it was before. Also, you can’t beat the mesh. It’s magic. My Dad recommends if you decide to purchase the original Sapo, purchase it with caution due to the issue of it clogging your drain. Also, the temperature might be challenging to fully dry, which can breed bacteria if damp/wet. Don’t forget you will need help washing your back.
I hope you enjoyed this history lesson on the Sapɔ, aka the original African Loofah. Let us know if you want to learn more about African beauty history.
Disclaimer: This is based on the experience of my parents, who were born and raised in Kumasi, Ghana, and are a part of the Ashanti tribe. I can not speak for any other countries.
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LUV SCRUB is the original mesh body exfoliator. An enhanced version of the authentic African net sponges used for generations. Shop for yours here and say hello to smoother, softer skin. Tell your friends! (You can thank us later).
