Ndolla

Ingredients

iron, vinegar from desert dates (Balanites aegyptiaca), old clinkers, locust bean tree pods (Bridelia ferruginea), iron water (ndo’irigam)

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

Ndolla is an indigenous variation of iron-gall ink. It can be produced using 'iron water' (ndo’irigam), which is made by adding iron and vinegar (derived from desert dates) to water and letting it stand for weeks (p. 22). The ferrous oxide in rust combines with the high sulfur content in the dates to form a ferrous sulphate solution (p. 22). Another variation involves soaking old iron clinkers or locust bean tree pods in water (p. 22). This combines dyes, tannins, and mordants in a single recipe (p. 20).

Evidence

"Ndolla is a Fulfulde ink made from water in which old clinkers and or locust bean tree pods (BL11) have soaked. This pragmatic adaptation betrays a deep understanding of iron’s reactive qualities coupled with a thorough knowledge of the components in indigenous botanical resources."

Remarks

This ink represents a local adaptation of metallurgy knowledge to scribal arts. It is permanent and 'burns' into the substrate (p. 21).