Nablusi Soap: A Living Craft Preserved Through Generations
The history of soap-making in Palestine spans more than a thousand years and is inseparable from the city of Nablus, its olive groves, and the people who carried this knowledge across generations. Nablusi soap is not simply a household product; it is the result of accumulated experience, seasonal rhythms, and collective labor shaped by land and history.
For centuries, soap-making in Nablus functioned as a pillar of the local economy and a symbol of craftsmanship. Despite invasions, colonial rule, occupation, industrial competition, and direct military destruction, the craft has never disappeared. Instead, it adapted, survived, and continues today — made by hand, following methods refined over hundreds of years.
Origins of Soap-Making in Palestine
Soap-making in the region predates written history. Archaeological discoveries in ancient Mesopotamia show that soap-like substances were produced more than 4,500 years ago using oil, water, and alkaline salts. These early recipes closely resemble the basic formula still used in traditional Nablusi soap.
What distinguishes Palestine — and Nablus in particular — is not the invention of soap, but the environment that allowed the craft to mature into a specialized industry. By the medieval period, Nablus had become one of the most important soap-producing cities in the region.
Early Soap Recipes in the Ancient Middle East
Early soap was valued for its durability and effectiveness. Made from natural oils and alkaline compounds, it was used for cleaning the body, clothing, and household items. Over time, olive oil emerged as the preferred base due to its availability and quality.
Al-Maqdisi and Medieval Accounts of Nablus
One of the most important historical references to Nablusi soap comes from the 13th-century scholar Shams al-Din Muhammad bin Abi Talib al-Ansari, known as al-Maqdisi. During his visit to Nablus around the year 1200, he noted the city’s extensive soap production and export activity, describing Nablus as “a palace amidst orchards, divinely blessed with the olive tree.”
Nablus and the Rise of Olive Oil Soap
By a thousand years ago, Nablus had all the conditions necessary for large-scale soap production. The surrounding hills produced abundant olive oil, which became the backbone of the industry. Olive oil was not only plentiful but highly valued for its purity and stability.
Olive Oil as the Foundation of Nablusi Soap
Traditional Nablusi soap contains more than 80% olive oil. This high concentration gives the soap its firm texture, long shelf life, and mild cleansing properties. Unlike modern industrial soaps, no fragrances, dyes, or synthetic additives are used.
Trade Routes and Regional Influence
Nablus occupied a strategic position along regional trade routes. Soap and olive oil were exported to Damascus, Cairo, the Levant, and across the Mediterranean. Historical sources record that olive oil from Nablus was sent to Damascus for use in lighting the Umayyad Mosque, highlighting its quality and importance.
Soap Under Crusaders and Ottoman Rule
During the Crusader occupation of Palestine, Nablusi soap became so valuable that it was placed under royal control. Soap production was organized as a monopoly, with factory owners operating under contracts granted by the King of Jerusalem.
Royal Control During the Crusader Period
Recognizing the value of Nablusi soap, Crusaders attempted to replicate the craft in Europe. Olive-oil-based soap factories appeared in Marseille, France, using techniques adapted from Palestinian methods — a legacy that continues in European soap traditions today.
Soap-Making Families Under Ottoman Rule
Under Ottoman rule, soap-making became concentrated among wealthy and influential families. Knowledge was guarded carefully and passed from father to son, generation after generation. This continuity ensured consistent quality and preserved traditional techniques.
Decline Under Colonialism and Occupation
By the late 19th century, Nablus had approximately 30 soap factories. This number declined to 16 by 1904, then rebounded to 29 factories on the eve of World War I, producing over 2,400 tons annually.
The true decline began in the 1930s.
Colonial Taxes and Brand Imitation
Under the British Mandate, customs taxes were imposed on Palestinian soap while foreign imports were permitted freely. Egypt and Syria introduced additional fees. At the same time, imitation soaps were sold under the name “Nablusi soap,” undermining the original craft.
Israeli Occupation and Factory Destruction
After 1967, Israeli occupation policies targeted Palestinian industries. Cheap imported soaps flooded the market. During the Al-Aqsa Intifada, several soap factories in Nablus were directly bombed. By 2012, only four factories remained in operation.
Materials Used in Nablusi Soap
Olive Oil, Soda, and Water Ratios
Traditional Nablusi soap is made using:
-
Olive oil (approximately 82%)
-
Sodium hydroxide (approximately 13%)
-
Water and trace materials (approximately 5%)
This simplicity is intentional and central to the soap’s identity.
Traditional Tools of Soap-Making
Copper Pots and Wooden Stirrers
Soap is cooked in massive copper pots embedded deep into the ground, capable of holding several tons of oil. Long wooden paddles are used to stir the mixture by hand for hours.
Stamping, Cutting, and Drying Tools
After spreading, the soap is marked using linen threads coated with red chalk, stamped with copper seals, cut manually, and stacked into tall drying towers called tananeer.
Step-by-Step Nablusi Soap-Making Process
Cooking and Saponification
Olive oil is slowly added to boiling alkaline solution in a process known as “oil return.” Precision is critical; excess soda produces harsh soap, while insufficient soda causes oily, poorly dried bars.
Spreading, Marking, and Stamping
At dawn, workers spread the gelatinous soap onto flat floors, level it, mark it into squares, and stamp each piece by hand — often tens of thousands per day.
Cutting and Drying
Soap is cut manually and dried naturally for weeks or months, allowing moisture to evaporate without artificial heat.
Drying, Storage, and Export Traditions
Seasonal Production Cycles
Traditionally, soap production began with the olive harvest and ended by March. Soap was not sold until summer, after full natural curing.
Shipping Nablusi Soap to the United States Today
From Local Craft to Global Homes
While historically exported across the Arab world and Mediterranean, Nablusi soap is now shipped internationally, including to the United States. Modern logistics allow traditional soap made in Nablus to reach customers abroad while preserving its handmade nature.
Careful Packaging and International Shipping
To ensure quality during long-distance shipping, soap is fully cured before export, carefully wrapped, boxed, and shipped under controlled conditions. This allows customers in the U.S. to receive soap that retains its integrity, scent-free purity, and long shelf life.
Why Nablusi Soap Still Matters Today
Cultural Heritage and Economic Survival
Nablusi soap is more than a cleaning product. It represents Palestinian resilience, dignity, and continuity. Every bar carries the labor of hands that refused to abandon their craft — a living heritage that continues despite immense pressure.