Hi sexymg2000,
Living in the Middle east, I knew exactly what incense you are
referring to. This incense is known as "bakhoor" or "bakhour"
pronounced bakh-hoor and derives from the sandalwood tree.
The following are excerpts I have extracted which describe the various
uses of bakhour.
"When entering a Kuwaiti home, notice if there are shoes outside the
door. If everyone has removed their shoes, you should comply out of
respect. In the diwaniya it is customary to remove one's shoes before
entering. Upon entering a room, it is always polite to give the
general greeting of"Assalam A'laikum." The response will be "A'laikum
Assalam." Whenever a newcomer enters the room, everyone rises to greet
him. Each person introduces himself as the new arrival proceeds around
the room, usually beginning on the right. Often the host will perfume
his guests with bakhour, a sandalwood incense that one wafts into the
hair, and rosewater, which is sprinkled on the hands."
Kuwait Information Office
http://www.kuwait-info.org/Country_Profile/society_and_culture/addl_links/society_and_culture_addl_links_guide_to_social_customs.html
"In Kuwait during Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, the diwaniya
becomes the focal point of life where nearly non-stop activities
occur, such as visiting, greeting friends and relatives and eating.
During times of celebration or in the more formal diwaniyas, bakhour
(sandalwood) is burned to provide a pleasant, inviting aroma."
Kuwait Information Office
http://www.kuwait-info.org/Country_Profile/society_and_culture/society/diwaniyas.html
"The Haffah Souk in Salalah is famed for its traditional Arabian
perfumes, frankincense and bakhoor -- an aromatic combination of
sandalwood, frankincense and natural oils. These are complemented by
the traditional, brightly painted incense burners sold by the local
Bedouin women."
Mice Online
http://www.miceonline.net/oman/shopping.htm
"More precious than gold is the sandalwood oud (incense) that Saudis
burn in hand-crafted mabakhir (incense burners) as a gesture of
hospitality and respect for guests in their home. Like the
cardamom-flavored coffee served in small cups or the sweet dates
offered to guests, incense has long been part of the art of
hospitality practiced in Saudi homes."
Saudi Embassy: A Symbol of Hospitality
http://saudiembassy.net/Publications/MagSummer97/symbol.htm
"...Here, too, there are distinctions in quality and characteristic
according to country of origin. Ayoub offers a box of bakhour, a
classic Arabic incense that she calls a "uniquely Middle Eastern
fragrance." It's heavy, a mix of frankincense, patchouli and
sandalwood."
Google's cache of http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/atlanta_world/bazaar/101602.html.
"Then we proceeded to Annaya to visit the shrine of Saint Sharbel, the
Lebanese monk who died a century ago. As we drove north, Toufik told
me that we were entering the heart of the Christian region of the
country. I could smell bakhour (incense) which filled the air near the
endearing roadside shrines where incense burned before statues of the
Blessed Mother, St. Sharbel, St. Elie, St. Rita and other patrons and
protectors. The scent of bakhour and the splendid view of the
Mediterranean carried me off to a world of the spirit-- so far away,
yet so near!"
384 Hour Journey into the Spiritual and Physical World of the Maronites
http://www.mari.org/JMS/july97/384_Hour_Journey.htm
Bakhoor can be purchased at the following sites:
Arabian Bazaar
http://www.arabianbazaar.com/product/Bakhoor_Maliki_-_Incense_Tablets.html
Online Islamic Store
http://www.onlineislamicstore.com/bakhoors--incense-or-oodh-.html
Ethnic-R-Us
http://ethnic-r-us.com/Products/posw/sandalwood.htm
Search criteria:
incense "middle east" bakhoor OR bakhour
"middle east" bakhoor OR bakhour
incense bakhoor OR bakhour "sandalwood"
bakhoor OR bakhour "sandalwood"
bakhoor incense purchase
I hope the information provided is helpful. If you have any questions
regarding my answer please don?t hesitate to ask before rating it.
Best regards,
Rainbow |
