Virginity stones
These alum stones in 2014 hit marketplaces of African countries like Cameroon and Nigeria, with the belief that it could restore a woman’s virginity.
In 2014, these stones were heavily found in Yaounde, costing around $2.54.
According to Ndangue Liliane Josiane Rose, a France24 Observer, women crushed these alum stones into powder and mix it with water.
“Sometimes, they add a bit of lemon juice or honey. They then use the concoction to clean their private parts, as the stone’s powder kills bacteria. But this mixture also provokes a momentary contraction of the vagina, which can give the appearance of virginity to a woman who has already had sexual relations,” she added.