Manketti Oil - Ricinodendron Rautanenii

Manketti fruits grow on a large tree. The fruit is eaten, and in Namibia the pulp is also used to distil a traditional spirit called 'Kashepembe'.

Manketti trees grow throughout much of Southern Africa, covering Kalahari and Miombo woodlands. For the San/Bushman people of these areas, Manketti nuts and oils has a long tradition as a highly nutritions food.

The nuts are decorticated (with skill and difficulty, as the seed case is exceptionally hard), crushed and boiled in water. The oil is removed off the top.

The oil is a valued skin emollient - providing protection from extreme sun and wind expose. The Kwangali of Northern Namibia prize Manketti oil for special hair treatment.