As in all cultures of the world, the women of Madagascar are not to be outdone when it comes to the search for beauty. If you travel the roads of the island from the North to the South or from East to West, you will surely come across women adorned with color on their faces.
It is these beauty masks that adorn their face practically in their daily lives. They only remove them for outings, parties or gatherings.
These colors vary from white to red and for this they use pieces of wood, shells or even earth and clay, but the most used is undoubtedly Malagasy sandalwood or "masonjoany".
The masonjoany is much more than a beauty mask. In addition to its benefits and its various virtues, sandalwood is part of the customs and tradition in the west and south coast of our island.
Around the 9th century, Arab navigators occasionally visited the island of Nosy be, which they named "Assada" or "Sada", the Malagasy for their part named the island "Vario Be", the Arabs refueled on the island and there creates a commercial counter in Mahilaka, with a surrounding wall 4 meters high around 900, then in 1100 the Arabs also create a counter in Ambanoro (the city of Marodoka today) where the first port of Nosy be was located , the Indians then came to settle in Ambanoro (Marodoka) for trade and it is from there that the Malagasy began to use sandalwood as an ingredient for local sunscreens, sandalwood is therefore a precious tree and a heritage that the Indians left us.
From its scientific name Santalinamadagascariensis, sandalwood is a small tree that grows in the western part of Madagascar. Originally from tropical Asia, Masonjoany was used to make Indian incense. It is becoming more and more in demand in the cosmetics world. It is a real ally to protect your skin against UV rays. This is why almost all women on the sunny coasts adopt sandalwood on a daily basis. Today, it is even found in the highlands.
The masonjoany is also defined as a fashion accessory for Malagasy women. Among Sakalava women, wearing the masonjoany mask is a tradition during ceremonies. Moreover, you will understand the importance of this ritual by visiting Nosy Be, Diego or Tuléar.
Masonjoany also has soothing, disinfecting and relaxing properties on the skin. It delays the appearance of wrinkles as it deeply cleanses the skin and removes toxins from the face. Aesthetic, Masonjoany's mask inspires the most talented.
How to use it ?
Here are the ingredients needed to make your own beauty product: a piece of sandalwood, a stone or coral and a little water. To obtain a very fluid paste, you just have to rub the small piece of wood against the stone. Add a little water to your powder. Then you can apply it on your face.
Then let it sit for a few minutes and the color will change from yellow brown to almost a pale white. To remove the boredom of a picture without a pattern, the Sakalava women began to make flowery patterns. This tradition has gradually been exported to other regions.
To rest your face at night, simply rinse off with lukewarm water. You can rinse with lukewarm water.
You will find it almost everywhere on the island: local markets, craft markets and even in supermarkets in the form of powder in sachets and other derived lotions.

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