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Above: Ojingai medicine sashay heated by fire. One of a handful of treatments one’s personal healer may choose for remedy.

African Living Spa, and Living Spa ® are registered/trademarked.

Engishon
(long life)

The African Living Spa’s name given to the healer’s dwelling
is Engishon Supat, meaning the ‘place of long life’.

To enhance this experience The African Living Spa offers the option of treatment retreat to a traditional Engishon Supat in the healer’s boma (house) along with the following traditional treatments which employ locally harvested phyto-medicinals (plant-medicines).
OJINGAI HEAT REVIVAL Based on the indigenous Maasai practice where Ojingai, a valued medicine plant, is held over the fire and applied warm to the body to alleviate pain or inflammation. The African Living Spa has replicated this practice by wrapping ﬁve healing plant essences in muslin bundles and warming them at the cottage fire place, pictured above. Heat from the bundles opens the pores. The medicinally enhanced gentle steam from the bundles caresses the skin inducing relaxation, relieving sore muscles, easing tired joints and cleanses minor abrasions. This treatment has a mild anti-bacterial action which thoroughly freshens the skin and an astringent quality that reduces skin blemishes. In the afternoon or evening the cottage fireplace warms the bathing chambers and the Ojingai, creating a completely soothing healing environment that envelops all of the senses and produces the ultimate space for complete relaxation and renewal. OLORIEN HOT WOOD Also warmed by the bathing chamber fireplace, heated aromatic Olorien wood is used as an extension of the therapist’s hands in a tension-releasing effleurage, a gentle stroking massage that sweeps over the body producing a deeply relaxing, grounding and satisfying balancing effect. See photograph above. While many ancient cultures have used the healing power of stones for medicinal and spiritual purposes, the Maasai believe that Olorien wood is ﬁlled with the vitality and energy of Engai (Spirit) which they believe is imparted to you during your massage.

ESEKEKWA HEAT THERAPY
Oiled cow horn heated over a fire is gently applied to the muscle area to relive knotted tension. The dry heat and slight pressure can dissipate the effected area’s tightness – a recommended response after a Kilimanjaro Mountain climb.

Maasai lifestyle, ritual, and wellness systems treasure Engishon, a time to renew on all levels by taking a healing retreat. Traditionally, a tribal member will go for a time to a special place were there is clean running water and high ground. They will bring along a bull or goat for sustenance; and bring or find medicines to use, such as:

- olkiloriti roots or iloodwa, to clean the body systems;

- olkonyili, olkonkola, enjani engahe, for the ﬁtness of the lower back;

- engani emburkel, for stomach balancing;

- otimigomi; for men’s hormonal balance;

- engongutitisho, for body joints;

- esenyi, for mental strength.

Cow’s blood, chest, ribs, and/or milk, are regularly taken to build the body. It is not uncommon for Maasai to reach the age of 100. (see note)

“The Engishon boma is very powerful as it is away from EVERYTHING - all you hear are birds, wind and my own breathing.”

African Living Spa Offering

The following is not a menu from which you can select, it offers insight into the philosophy and treatments that support the healing journey created with the guidance of a personal healer:

Note: “Maasai”, Tepilit Ole Saitoti, Carol Beckwith (1985)