Ethiopia is home to more than 80 Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ that exhibit their own peculiar culture and way of life. Using Herbal Medicine and Traditional cosmetics are among the many practices that characterizes Ethiopians. Most of the cosmetics are concocted from indigenous plants and other herbal ingredients. Tush or Yewoyba Tis is one of the commonest traditional cosmetics.
Tush is widely put to use in the northern part of Ethiopia. Women in Amhara and Tigray states use it to prettify themselves. Especially, it is adored by girls. When women want to tush, men supply them with the necessary herbs, which they collect from forest areas. If the woman is single, her brothers are responsible for collecting the twigs used for tush. Most of the time twigs from olive tree are preferable for preparing the cosmetics. But if there is scarcity in olive, it could be replaced by plants.
Mebrat Abay lives in Addis Ababa. It was not infrequently she was using tush while she was in Maychew, her hometown, Sothern zone of Tigray. She remembers that olive tree was the main plant to prepare tush. Now in Addis she uses its every month.
From a firsthand experience she advises that those who use tush feel happy, relaxed, healthy and confident.
‘’First the woman who wants to use tush gets her hair dressed and smeared with butter. In addition, she wears traditional clothes called Shama. There are different types of hair dressing styles. Next, the women use Sasula (Ensosila). The process of preparing the dye for cosmetic purpose involves collecting mature plants and thoroughly washing them. The plant is then cut into pieces and left in a container for at least 12 hours. The chopped sasual is heated while it is still in the container. Women dip their hands and feet in it. Following this they wash it with the diced plant parts for about 30 minutes. Single women decorate their hands with it. On the other hand, married woman adorn both their hands and legs with it.
After the sasual, the woman use tush for about an hour,’’ she states. Though every woman, irrespective of her age, could use it, a mother who just delivered uses tush after three days of her delivery. In addition to this, the process is different for grown up girls, engaged girls and women who give birth.
As to her, most of the time two men go to the forest to collect herbs for tush. The girl’s fiancé and that of his relatives are mostly delegated to bring the olive.
When the men head to the girl’s home, they receive a warm welcome. After axing woods, they drink water. It is customary that a Raya man expresses special love and affection when his fiancée use tush. Women can use tush whenever they feel like it. There is not specific time for it. Most of the time, the girl uses tush at her mother’s home. In urban centers, there are people who give such a service at affordable prices. It is believed tush could cause health problem if it is put to use during day time. Hence nighttime is preferable. After using tush they would not get out of home until they cool down their body.
Dawit Abebe, from Raya, also reminisces that wood collection would be taken as a good opportunity for unmarried men to discuss about their future life. They discuss whom they should marry.
‘‘Making a declaration of love is a common practice. You confide your secrets to your best friend. Cross pollinating ideas about love affairs is a core agenda when you go to collect olive and other woods for tush,’’ he said. He added that tush lends a woman more grace and beauty. A young lady with sasula and tush attracts the attention of many unmarried men.
Though young men and women choose their partner at any time, Ethiopian New Year and Epiphany are more preferable since boys and girls gather to celebrate the festivities. After the boy chooses his would-be bride, he sends his relatives and elders to her parents to ask for her hand in marriage. Then fiancée uses tush to magnify her beauty.
Beside its cosmetic aspect, tush has plenty of health benefits. It strengthens wrist and womb on top of affording the fair sex a sweet aroma. ‘’I use tush every month and it smoothens my skin. It gives me mental satisfaction,’’ Mebrat exclaims. She stated that, women who use tush frequently display much stamina she possesses.
Ethiopia, boasting a broad array of plant species, is yet to exploit it for medical, cosmetics and tourism purposes. Plants used to prepare tush have to be preserved. Not only this, tush ought to be promoted and recognized well to attract tourism.
The Ethiopian Herald July 26, 2020
BY TSEGAY HAGO
