Insect Clay Geophagy in Sierre Leone

Field study in eastern Sierra Leone shows that 50% of pregnant women regularly consume clay found in the interior of termite mounds. Some 40 to 80 grams of clay are eaten per day. Another, but less commonly used, geophagical source of clay is the nest of the mud daubing wasp. Both clays provide important amounts of minerals and trace elements essential for fetal development. It is concluded that the practice is a cultural response to nutritional need.