Bakhoor Nawal burning from Taste of South Sudan bakhoor collection

Bakhoor is an Arabic word which means to create smoke :- to fumigate an area in order to impart a fragrance or to mask a bad odor. The tradition of burning bakhoor is widely practiced in the Far East, Middle East, and North Africa across the Sahel to West Africa. It is customary in these regions to burn your best bakhoor for your guests as a gift. It is also customary to use bakhoor to mark certain occasions. The bakhoor style and wood type varies with the region of origin.

Agarwood, the Most Expensive wood in the world

Agarwood prepared by Ensar Oud Artisanal Perfumer

Agarwood is one of the most expensive wood in the world costing as much as $100,000 per kg and for all purposes real agarwood is rare and only bought out of certain countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. It is formed in the heartwood of aquilaria trees when they become infected with a type of fungus that imparts a dark intensely fragrant resin.  

Agarwood trees infected with this resin are harvested and collect the highest prices in the world. Oudh in general means wood, however the term “Oudh”, in perfumery, refers to wood collected from the agarwood tree. This oudh is then graded, and sold pure, to be used as is, or broken into wood chips that are incorporated into various bakhoor formulations, or distilled into intense essential oils that may be used to make perfumes. This type of bakhoor is limited to the Middle East (gulf countries in particular) and the Far East.

Sudanese Bakhoor is highly revered in North African countries

North and West African bakhoor are aromatic wood chips that have been soaked in perfume oil and are blended in with other natural ingredients, for example, resin, sugar, florals and essential oils. It comes in a wide range of assortments which implies there’s a kind of bakhoor for everybody. Again the particular wood used varies. For instance, in Sudan the wood used is called “shaff”, from the Terminalia brownii tree, and “talih”, from the Acacia seyal tree. Taste of South Sudan bakhoors follow the Sudanese style of bakhoor making, which in itself is highly favored throughout North Africa. 

 In Nigeria bakhoor is called “turaren wuta” –  a literal translation is wood of the earth. There is one made of ground kajiji, a tree that grows in Maiduguri, Northern Nigeria. There is one called halut, and another type called hawee. For the experienced users; each bakhoor type has an expected signature smell and burn pattern. In Senegal they have a type of bakhoor called gabgab, made of the Indian Costus tree.

Bakhoor is used to mark special occasions such as weddings

Bakhoor is used during special occasions such as weddings or simply for relaxing purposes. In Arabian cultures, it’s a traditional gesture to pass bakhoor among guests, so they can  scent their hair, clothes and hands. This is believed to be as integral to hospitality as serving coffee and dates.

Sudanese Jirtik Tray. Image from Sudania 24 TV show

In Sudan and South Sudan, the groom’s family prepares special bakhoor gifts for the bride. One of the Sudanese wedding ceremonies called a “jirtik” features a special tray that includes bakhoors laid in traditional mabkharas, in addition to khumra perfumes and karkaar oil. See this article: Anointing in red and gold  by Women’s Literacy Sudan to learn more about jirtik customs. The groom’s family also gifts special perfumes using similar bakhoor ingredients called Khumra. When a woman gives birth, her in-laws and guests bring bakhoor to be burnt in cleansing rituals and to restore positive energy in the home. An Australian teacher  situated in Sudan in 2013 documented this practice here: Giving birth in Sudan: customs and traditions.

Whereas the tradition of burning bakhoor is practiced extensively throughout Sudan, within South Sudan; only a quarter of the population has adopted this practice. This is particularly among the Upper Nile regions of South Sudan, and especially among former Khartoumers.

Bakhoor is burned on a traditional charcoal burner or modern electric burners.

Bakhoor is burned to deliver its woody lovely fragrance. There are two traditional ways to enjoy bakhoor; employing the use of a charcoal burner or an electric burner. Each method relies on heat to slowly release the fragrance from the wood into the space. A charcoal burner is called mabkhara, an Arabic word, signifying “the fumer ” referring to the incense burner. Mabkharas come in various designs; they are produced using either wood, metal, or ceramics. They come as basic and fancy designs. Bakhoor in a charcoal burner will emit some smoke, and for some that is the signature way one enjoys bakhoor, in the fragrance emitted amongst swirls of smoke. Many swear that this method creates the best aroma.

An electric burner may have a slower emission of the fragrance, and minimum smoke. Electric burners may be a necessity, particularly in small enclosed spaces where creation of smoke may trigger fire alarms.

Watch Taste of South Sudan’s Bakhoor Dhahab burning in an electrical mabkhara

Review the instructions below of how to safely use an electric burner.

• Using tongs, place 3 or desired pieces of any bakhoor you desire on the electronic burner.
• Turn on the electronic burner by pressing the main switch 
• Allow it to run for 10 minutes and then switch it off 
• Place it in an open place to permeate the whole space

Taste of South Sudan Bakhoor collection

• Bakhoor Jameela Sudanese Incense
• Bakhoor Al Aroosa Incense Perfume
• Bakhoor Nawal Sudanese Incense
• Bakhoor Dhahab Incense Perfume
• Bakhoor Al-Asli Incense Perfume
• Bakhoor Anfar Incense Perfume

Bakhoor Jamela Sudanese Incense

Bakhoor Jameela by Taste of South Sudan

Taste of South Sudan Bakhoor Jameela is an exotic handmade Sudanese incense to add fragrance to any space. This is a sweet alluring scent that burns clean and long lasting. This is a powder bakhoor with white musk and amber and floral scents, with splints of sandalwood that invokes feelings of being in a ladies party back home. This bakhoor comes with a sweet pleasing and  long lasting aroma that lingers for 60 minutes after burning.

Bakhoor Al Aroosa Incense Perfume

Taste of South Sudan Bakhoor Al Aroosa is a luxurious scent for the brides. It has a powerful and lasting scent with animalic, woodsy and floral notes. The base of Bakhoor Al Aroosa is Dufr that has undergone intense cleaning procedures in line with traditional Sudanese perfume making. It is transformed to give you Bakhoor Al Aroosa, especially formulated for the bride and her groom, and for you anytime you want to feel special. Bakhoor Al Aroosa is also used for getting ready for prayer, yoga or even used to aid in awakening your spirit.

Bakhoor Nawal Sudanese Incense

Bakhoor Nawal by Taste of South Sudan

Taste of South Sudan Bakhoor Nawal is an exotic handmade Sudanese increase made of Sudanese “shaff” which is wood from Terminalia tree, to add fragrance to any space. This wood is soaked in aromatic perfumes and essential oils using  age old traditional recipes passed down generations. It is made true to tradition of ingredients sourced from Sudan and world wide giving you the long lasting aroma that lingers for 60 minutes after burning it.

Bakhoor Dhahab Incense Perfume

Taste of South Sudan Bakhoor Dhahab Incense Perfume is a Sudanese traditional scent of Sandalwood and Arabian perfumes including Dufr and Khomra.This bakhoor has a alluring long lasting scent and can be used when getting ready for prayers, yoga or aid in ones spiritual awakening. Bakhoor Dhahab is indeed an aromatherapy that is not gender specific and can be enjoyed by both sexes. In the Middle East and North Africa, men and women burn bakhoor to add  fragrance to their houses and also their clothes so that the lasting scent will permeate the whole garment.

Bakhoor Al-Asli Incense Perfume

Taste of South Sudan  Bakhoor Al-Asli is an exotic handmade incense that adds fragrance to any space and sets a meditative mood. Bakhoor Al-Asli is the original incense of SouthSudan. It is made from aromatic wood chips soaked in perfumes, tree resins and essential oils using age-old traditional recipes. The scent includes musk, sandalwood, sweet and warm aromatics and perfumes. It evokes warm memories of home, brings about positive energy and a sense of calm.

Bakhoor Anfar Incense Perfume

Bakhoor Anfar by Taste of South Sudan

Taste of South Sudan’s Bakhoor Anfar  is an exotic handmade incense that adds fragrance to any space and sets a meditative mood. The scent includes white musk, amber, sandalwood, rose, and other sweet and warm aromatics and perfume. It is made in the Saudi Arabian style of bakhoor.

Taste of South Sudan runs a complete line of Bakhoor products on our online shop    https://shop.tasteofsouthsudan.com .