Science Heritage Journal | Galeri Warisan Sains (GWS)

Across Nigeria’s diverse cultural landscape, an age-old ritual persists, one that sees the earth not only as home but as nourishment. Geophagy, the intentional consumption of soil, particularly specific clays known locally as “Nzu”, “Eko”, or Calabar chalk, is more than a dietary quirk. It is an inherited act, a quiet tradition whispered across generations. Found in bustling markets or dug from the earth itself, these clays are often laced with kaolinite, bentonite and a cocktail of other minerals shaped by Nigeria’s regional geology. For many, especially expectant mothers and rural dwellers, this earthy fare is sought not just for physical relief, such as easing pregnancy related nausea, but also as a link to spiritual safeguarding and ancestral wisdom. However, beneath its cultural charm lies a chemical complexity. Scientific scrutiny has unmasked a darker layer: elevated concentrations of toxic elements like lead, cadmium, and arsenic, breaching safety norms by global standards. These substances, invisible to the eye yet potent in their harm, quietly challenge the health of those who partake. Still, geophagy endures, shielded by tradition and the gaps in health education. Any attempt to address its risks must step gently, as science must not only analyze but empathize. Solutions must be woven from both data and dialogue, balancing biomedical insight with cultural reverence. Only through a blend of public health efforts, environmental science, and respectful community engagement can Nigeria confront the paradox of geophagy: a practice both rooted in care and laced with danger.