congaplace.com

Posted: **Fri Jul 06, 2007 7:57 am**

Hi everyone, I have been reading this forum for a few months and this place is the best resource I have found anywhere for all things Conga!! I am a newbie to the tumbadoras and recently purchased a set of 3 Pearl fiberglass Elites. I had read a couple of different threads about drummers who condition their skins with Manteca de Orojo or Shea Butter. Someone said to put it on your hands and just play to get it on the drum head; another said to slather it on and leave it in the sun for a few hours. What exactly is the purpose of conditioning? Does it make the head softer? How does it alter the sound of the head? What method would you recommend? How often should it be done?

Edited By medorian on 1183708750

Posted: **Fri Jul 06, 2007 9:49 am**

Greetings,

I tried this out with a palm oil.. I was quite liberal with it and the heads needed a few days in the sun (English sun) before playing..

I was very pleased with the feel and response, the skins were softer and the tones definatley felt and sounded refreshed..

I will do this again for sure when necessary...

Posted: **Fri Jul 06, 2007 11:12 am**

Is called "Manteca De Corojo" not Orojo. It translate to Palm Oil in English. I used it occasionally. It gives "life" to skins, is laso good to put in your hands when you play about 3 set. Is been used in Cuba forever. Mongo first told me about manteca de corojo about 30 yrs. ago.
Apply to playing surface,tighten lugs,leave overnight and then wipe it off with a damp rag or face towel.
Saludos, Dario

Posted: **Fri Jul 06, 2007 2:40 pm**

Where can I get some of this palm oil? Is it a specific brand? I have used plain aloe lotion in the past, but have always heard good stuff about the palm oil.

MD

Posted: **Fri Jul 06, 2007 3:01 pm**

Greetings,

Palm oil should be available in many brands from your local supermarket...

Posted: **Fri Jul 06, 2007 4:03 pm**

ok, cool... well that is easy enough. Is is an oil, or a paste? is it something that I will find in the cooking section, or will it be in the skin care section with the lotions and stuff? Yeah, I know... sometimes I need things spelled out for me..

Posted: **Fri Jul 06, 2007 4:08 pm**

botanicas de la ocha, that's the only place I found manteca de corojo...

take a look around :;):

Posted: **Fri Jul 06, 2007 4:32 pm**

Here in Houston you can buy it in Fiesta in the African foods section. It is commonly used in West African cooking, Red Palm Oil. If not you can always buy it on line. you'll have better luck looking for red palm oil than you will manteca de corojo, in the caribbean it is mostly used for religious puposes and for drumming and things like that.
PC

Posted: **Fri Jul 06, 2007 7:53 pm**

Manteca de Corojo is widely available here in So.Fl.(Miami). You find the jars at botanicas and discount stores going for $1.19 per jar. I think you'll find them in any Latin neighborhoods in your state or region. Is great for conga and bongo heads,gives them lubrication and new life. Dario

Posted: **Fri Jul 06, 2007 8:04 pm**

If you'd rather not buy from "botanicas", then you can probably find it at health food stores. That's where I found mine, under the label "Jungle Products Red Palm Oil".

it's an orange-red paste.

Posted: **Fri Jul 06, 2007 8:46 pm**

I know manteca de corrojo is legendary for skins, howver any comments on use of mink oil?

Posted: **Fri Jul 06, 2007 9:01 pm**

Mink oil is used for shoes is'nt it? It's a waterproofing agent and adds suppleness to leather.

My thinking is things that are good for skin on your body are suitable for conga skin.

I mean your gonna be touching your drum a lot and then touching your arms and face. Dude, you gonna get all minky!

Leather is tanned hide and usually takes oils and such.

I use shea butter on my face and hands every day, some gets on my drums too.

shea butter is good stuff, and edible from what I hear.
Comes from a nut tree..

Mink oil comes from poor little dead minks! You gonna have PETA throwing fake blood on you at your next gig!

Edited By bongosnotbombs on 1183755802

Posted: **Fri Jul 06, 2007 9:28 pm**

The Botanica variety is great...The Palm Oil used for cooking however, is not
recommended for skins.
Over applying it is also not recommended... you must wipe off the exccess.
Too much can deaden your sound...at least that's our opinion at
JCR Percussion.

~ ISAAC

Posted: **Fri Jul 06, 2007 9:57 pm**

My usual Botanica (Olokun) is all out of EPO Manteca de Corojo. Now what ? aaaahhhh
There is another one, but its never open.

oh, Whole foods carries Red Palm Oil, but its prolly food grade so????

T

Posted: **Fri Jul 06, 2007 10:07 pm**

peace&bless!
is the west african red palm oil known in brasil as "aceite de dende"?
the one i know is liquid, tough. never seen it as a paste.
it makes a great "moqueca de peixe": fish in coconut milk and palm oil. nice and very aphrodisiac
:;):
is a hand cream like glysolid good for the purpose? that i've been using from time to time

congaplace.com

Manteca de Orojo - Purpose of skin conditioning