Impi shaving soap.

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Impi is a Zulu word meaning war or combat, and by association any body of men gathered for war, for example impi ya masosha is a term denoting 'an army'. However, in English impi is often used to refer to a Zulu regiment, which is called an ibutho in Zulu. Us boertjies also grew up using the word 'Impi' as a descriptive noun for a singular Zulu soldier. Johnny Clegg's song "Impi" is about the Battle of Isandlwana's Impy that took place in 1879. It was a battle in the Anglo-Zulu War in which King Cetshwayo's Zulu army wiped out a British force of 1,400 men on 22 January 1879, and lost 2,000 of his own soldiers. This battle was one of the worst defeats suffered by the British army during the Victorian era. Sadly Johnny Clegg has since made the crossing into African skies, I for one love his tunes and and have great respect for this icon who was a pioneer in many ways. 

Our soap does not have the rich history of the Impy, but makes up for it in rich, white lather, it puffs up proud and fluffy like the headpiece of an ancient Zulu warrior. The medium menthol sensation is cold and chilling like the cutting edges on an Iklwa (the short, sharp spear that made the Zulus such a deadly enemy in close combat). a Marula fragrance adds a sweet, fruity element to the soap. Marula trees are prominent in the northern areas traditional Zulus resided in. The Zulu and Tonga peoples both call Marula the ‘marriage tree’, and a brew of the bark is administered as part of a cleansing ritual prior to marriage. Rural women also gathered the fruit, cut off the pulp and brewed a traditional drink called “buganu” stuff powerful enough it could have you miss the wedding altogether! a Good shot of 'Boeretroos' gives the soap a well rounded, strong finish and adds a load of exfoliation power, in modern context this combination also makes it one of the most politically correct shaving soaps on the market today, are we progressive or what!? 

Oh....and the fruit can also be eaten right from the tree, the fruit’s high pectin content, and delicious flavour also makes it ideal for jams, sweets, liqueurs, syrup and preserves. Now how can anything that has anything about this cool fruit in it be anything but amazing?!

Cut your calabash in half, steal your Gogo's clay bowl, but whatever you do, lather some of this up, slap it on your face and get shaving!

Expect the following; Minty, light to medium chill, coffee, sweet, fruity, rounded, earthy, bushveld, summer, with a medium to strong fragrance intensity. 


Customer Reviews

Based on 2 reviews
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J
Jeff Drucker
Refreshing and satisfying

This morning was my first time using this soap and I already love it. The scent is a delightful blend of fruitiness with coffee as well as a bit of minty notes, the lather whips up beautifully and so easily, the menthol sensation starts off soft but then it becomes more noticeable, and the postshave care is brilliant - so soothing and comfortable. Jaco is another Grand Master of shaving stuff!

J
Jacques Badenhorst
Feel the assegai

Lovely fresh aromas of menthol and spearmint. Lathers well and provides a smooth shave. The after shave ‘tingle’ is intense and is best reserved for hot summer days.