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Bakhoor Ritual Incense from Yementraditionally used for the Night of the Henna, purification, blessing and Zar ceremonies
Bakhoor Ritual Incense Kit What is bakhoor?
- Bakhoor is a traditional
incense crafted in Yemen, highly valued in North Africa, the
Arabian Peninsula, east Africa and the Middle East. It is handmade
from Boswellia sacra resin
and other fragrant woods, spices and natural oils, and has been
used for thousands of years for religious and social ceremonies.
It is prized for its lovely scent, and the calming and uplifting
effect of the smoke. The fragrant smoke was believed to bring
blessedness and to dispel malevolent spirits. Bakhoor was used
for the Night of the Henna celebration, to prepare a bride, to
enhance a woman's loveliness, to welcome guests, and for Zar ceremonies.
- This
incense is entirely hand made of natural ingredients: if you are
allergic to the chemicals in commercial room deodorizers, bakhoor
should bring you fragrance without discomfort.
How do you enjoy your bakhoor kit safely?
- Open your kit and take out the tongs, charcoal, incense burner and stand, and bakhoor. Burn bakhoor in a well ventilated area
because bakhoor produces more smoke than synthetic incenses. Put
the incense burner on the wooden holder away from cloth or
other flammable materials: your burner will get very hot! Burn
your bakhoor in a place where children cannot reach it.
- Place
charcoal on censer, and hold a flame to the charcoal in several places
until it flickers and sparks. Wrap the foil around your unused
charcoal so it will stay fresh and light easily.
- Your
charcoal will spark as it lights. If you need to move the
charcoal, use the tongs, not your fingers. The charcoal will
become too hot to touch!
- Let the charcoal burn a few minutes
until you can see ash forming on the edges of the charcoal. Place
a little bakhoor on the charcoal: a piece the size of your fingernail
or bottle cap is enough.
- The bakhoor will begin to melt
and smoke. If you wish to add more bakhoor, remove bakhoor
ash, or move the charcoal, use the tongs. Don't burn your
fingers! Relax and enjoy the beautiful patterns of fragrant smoke
in the air, and savor the calming effect of the bakhoor.
- Do not leave your burning bakhoor unattended. Extinguish charcoal completely before sleeping or leaving area.
Why was there a tradition of burning bakhoor for a bride, the Night of the Henna, for celebrations and Zar?
- Bakhoor may have relaxed and calmed women because of the unique chemistry of Boswellia species:
- The
sense of comfort and well being from the anti-anxiety
and anti-depressant effects of the finest hand-blended natural
bakhoor were interpreted as benevolent spirits bringing blessings, and malevolent spirits departing.
- Bakhoor was often paired with henna to make
women feel beautiful and special, and may have helped them patiently
enjoy the experience of an elaborate henna application.
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