Thanks, Relle, but I did that first, before I posted. I know there are lots in South Africa, but it's the shipping from country to country that seems to be a problem. On a business listing site I did find a chemical company located in Cameroon. They don't seem to have a website or an e-mail, but they did supply a phone number and contact person. I passed the info on to my student. Hopefully if that company itself cannot supply lye, they will know who can. She returns to Cameroon sometime in November. It's been an amazing experience to work with her. I've learned things I never would have been able to otherwise. I doubt I'll ever have the opportunity to travel to west Africa. There is a really large snake that is hunted in Cameroon, and it provides an oil that is used in many ways, one being for skin care. She's going to superfat with some of it (I doubt anyone knows its SAP value!). Can't wait to hear how that turns out!
About using lye in Cameroon. She told me that they leach water through wood ashes and use the liquid to make a soup (yes soup - not soap!). I'd guess that would be sort of like the weak lye solution used in hominy or the dried corn for tortillas. I'm hoping to learn a few words or phrases of her language before she leaves. Communication has been a challenge, but it's been SO fascinating. I'll try to remember to get her to write down the name of the snake. I never did get that word! It's not one I know, like python, or boa, or anaconda, etc. To see her gesture at how big that thing was gave me the shivvvvvers!!
