If you have spent any time in Ghana, you will likely come across small white or brown clay balls sold in bowls on local markets or displayed in roadside stalls. These clay pieces are known as ayilo, perhaps Ghana’s most recognisable form of edible clay and one of the country’s most intriguing cultural practices.
Ayilo is not just something people chew out of habit. It is a material that sits at the intersection of beauty, spirituality, medicine and daily life. Understanding ayilo opens a door into Ghanaian heritage. It explains why certain traditional practices endure, why clay still has a place in modern homes and why a simple substance taken from the earth can hold deep meaning for so many.
Clay in general has shaped Ghanaian life for generations. It is found in ceremonies, markets, kitchens and beauty routines. Ayilo is simply the most famous expression of an ancient relationship between people and the land beneath their feet.
This article places ayilo at the centre, but also explores the wider clay traditions that continue to shape communities across Ghana today.
What Is Ayilo?
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Ayilo, known as agatawoe among the Ewe and shirew among the Akan, is a type of edible clay made mainly from kaolin or bentonite. Sellers shape the clay into oval or egg sized balls and bake or smoke them to harden the texture and give it a slightly toasted flavour. The result is a dry, crumbly clay that many people enjoy for its earthy, chalk like taste.
While edible clay exists in different cultures, the Ghanaian version is especially tied to women’s traditions. It is often associated with pregnancy, cravings and the kinds of bodily changes that prompt women to reach for grounding, familiar remedies.
People eat ayilo for different reasons. Some take it to ease nausea or heartburn. Others enjoy its texture simply because they grew up around it. And in many homes, a handful of ayilo pieces tucked into a cupboard is as ordinary as a bag of gari or a pack of biscuits.
Ayilo is also used externally. When mixed with water it becomes a cleansing facial paste. In many communities, it is still considered a natural skincare product that detoxifies the skin and removes excess oil.
Where Ayilo Comes From
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Most Ghanaian ayilo comes from the Volta Region, especially around Anfoega. The soil here is rich in the pale clay needed to produce high quality ayilo. Families in these communities have passed down the skills of mining, shaping and smoking the clay for generations. It is patient work that requires attention to texture, temperature and moisture levels.
The finished clay balls travel far from their source. They appear in market stalls across Accra, Tema, Ho, Cape Coast and Kumasi. Places like Makola Market, Kaneshie and Madina have entire vendors dedicated to ayilo. Others sell it alongside spices, grains and herbal medicines.
Ayilo is sometimes jokingly referred to as white gold because of its steady demand. Even as modern skincare and Western medical advice grow more visible, the clay industry remains a meaningful source of income for families in the Volta Region.
Today, you can find ayilo not only in traditional markets but also in supermarkets and online stores. It is often marketed as both a craving food and a natural beauty product, showing how this traditional material adapts easily to modern tastes.
The Cultural Meaning of Ayilo
Although ayilo seems simple at first glance, its place in Ghanaian society is shaped by deep cultural layers. Clay has long been used for protection, purification and personal care. Eating clay is only one expression of this relationship between clay and wellbeing.
A Women Centered Tradition
While anyone can eat ayilo, the practice is particularly associated with women. Many Ghanaian women learn about it informally by watching older relatives. A pregnant woman who suddenly begins to crave ayilo is often met with knowing smiles from aunties and neighbours.
For some, these cravings feel soothing and satisfying. Others take ayilo because it helps ease morning sickness or digestive discomfort. The connection between women and clay is so strong that in many households, the appearance of ayilo is quietly understood as a sign of new life on the way.
A Link to Ancestral Practices
In many traditional Ghanaian belief systems, clay represents purity, grounding and spiritual safety. Among the Ga and Ewe, clay is used in rituals that mark life transitions. To eat clay or apply clay to the skin is sometimes seen as a symbolic return to the ancestors. It reconnects the body with the earth and signals humility, protection and belonging.
A Comforting Everyday Habit
Beyond deeper symbolism, ayilo is simply a familiar part of daily life for many people. Some enjoy nibbling on it while chatting at home. Others take a small piece with them when travelling. It is the same kind of comfort people derive from chewing ice or sunflower seeds. The taste triggers memory and nostalgia, making ayilo more than a food but a reminder of childhood and community.
Clay Smearing: Beauty, Protection and Spiritual Strength
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Ayilo may be the best known clay tradition in Ghana, but it is only one aspect of how clay appears in daily life. Another visible practice is clay smearing, especially among women in open air markets.
During hot afternoons, you may notice women with white streaks of clay on their cheeks, foreheads or arms. Sometimes the clay appears as simple smudges. Other times it is applied in neat lines or patterns that resemble body art. To those unfamiliar with the custom, it may look like decoration. In reality, the practice is deeply practical and deeply cultural.
Protection From the Sun
Clay acts as a natural barrier against harsh sunlight. Market traders spend long hours exposed to heat, and clay provides a cooling layer that protects the skin. Even today, dermatologists acknowledge that clay has properties that absorb heat and reduce irritation.
Aesthetic Expression
For many traders the clay markings are a personal touch. The face becomes a canvas where beauty and necessity meet. Some apply it lightly. Others create striking, symmetrical patterns that highlight the cheekbones or forehead.
Spiritual Safety
Traditional beliefs view clay as a shield against spiritual harm. Markets are busy, unpredictable spaces full of people, money, competition and envy. In some communities, clay is believed to deflect misfortune and negative energy. A trader with clay on her face is not only protecting her skin but also signalling spiritual readiness.
Among the Ga, white clay often appears during festivals, funerals and rites of passage. It marks purity and ancestral presence. To be covered in white clay during rituals is to be recognised as spiritually guarded.
Why People Eat Ayilo: Tradition, Craving and Medicine
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Ayilo continues to be eaten today because it sits at the crossroads of tradition and personal comfort. The reasons people consume it vary widely.
Traditional Remedies
For generations, ayilo has been used as a natural remedy for nausea, heartburn and digestive discomfort. Many women say it settles the stomach and provides a calm, grounding sensation. The cool, drying texture often brings relief when nothing else seems to help.
The Taste Itself
Those who enjoy ayilo describe the taste as earthy and slightly metallic. It crumbles softly and then dissolves slowly. For some, this sensation is addictive in the same way chewing ice or chalk can be. It satisfies a craving that is difficult to explain but very real to those who experience it.
Medical Concerns
Modern science offers a different perspective. Doctors warn that eating clay can interfere with nutrient absorption and may contain harmful levels of heavy metals. It can also contribute to anaemia. For this reason, health professionals usually advise pregnant women to avoid excessive clay consumption.
Despite these warnings, the tradition continues. Many eat ayilo occasionally and in small amounts, balancing cultural habits with medical advice. Others choose to stop entirely after learning about the potential risks. The ongoing conversation between tradition and modern health guidance is part of what keeps the topic of ayilo so relevant.
Clay: A Material Rooted in Ghanaian Society
Clay is not just eaten or used for skincare. It appears in many areas of Ghanaian life.
Rituals and Festivals
Across Ghana, clay markings are used in ceremonies that involve purification and protection. These include Homowo among the Ga and various rites of passage among the Akan and Ewe. The colour white is especially significant. It expresses spiritual cleanliness and a state of being blessed.
Skincare and Beauty Routines
Clay masks are still common in households across the country. They are used to treat acne, remove excess oil or simply refresh the skin. This tradition has entered the modern beauty market as well. Brands such as Skin Gourmet produce clay masks made from termite and ant mound clay, offering a natural alternative to imported skincare products.
Craft and Architecture
In many rural areas clay remains a key construction material. Traditional homes, cooking pots, roofing tiles and water storage jars are made from locally dug clay. These structures stay cool during the hottest months and blend seamlessly with the landscape. Even today, potters use clay to craft bowls, sculptures and everyday household items.
Clay continues to be a bridge between modern Ghana and its artisanal past.
Current Uses in the Modern Era
Urbanisation and globalisation have changed many Ghanaian traditions, but ayilo has adapted rather than disappeared.
You can still find it easily in Accra, especially in markets such as Makola and Madina. Roadside sellers in the Volta Region continue to supply the city, and ayilo now appears in supermarkets and online platforms. The popularity of natural beauty products has also pushed ayilo into the wellness market.
People today approach ayilo with more awareness. Some continue the practice for cultural or personal reasons. Others now prefer purified clay products designed for skincare. A few avoid eating it entirely after speaking with doctors. This diversity of perspectives shows how a single traditional practice can evolve in a modern society.
Where to Buy Ayilo in Accra
If you are looking for ayilo in Accra, you will find it in most major markets. Makola Market, Kaneshie Market, Madina Market, Kasoa and Dome are among the most reliable places. Many small neighbourhood shops also carry it. For a wider view of Accra’s markets, explore Green Views Residential’s guide to the best markets in the city.
For skincare use, purified clay products such as the Ghana Clay Mask from Skin Gourmet offer a modern alternative.
Everything you Need to Know About Ayilo
Is ayilo safe to eat?
It depends on the source and the amount consumed. Many people eat it without problems, but health professionals warn that it may contain heavy metals and can interfere with iron absorption.
Why do pregnant women crave ayilo?
Some women eat it to reduce nausea or because the taste feels satisfying. Cravings can also be linked to mineral deficiencies or hormonal changes.
What does ayilo taste like
It tastes earthy and chalky with a mild metallic note. The texture is soft at first and becomes crumbly.
Can ayilo be used for skincare
Yes. When mixed with water it can exfoliate and cleanse the skin.
How is ayilo different from other clay products
Ayilo is specifically Ghanaian and often smoked or baked, which gives it a distinct flavour and texture.
Significance in Ghanaian life
Clay is a quiet but constant presence in Ghana. It shows up in markets, ceremonies, beauty routines and homes. Ayilo in particular reveals how a simple material can carry layers of meaning. For Ghanaians it brings comfort, heritage and connection. For non Ghanaians living in Ghana it offers insight into local daily life and traditional knowledge.
To understand ayilo is to understand more than a craving or a beauty practice. It is to recognise a tradition that links people to land, ancestry and community in a way that remains alive even in a fast changing society.
