Incense burners a mark of UAE hospitality

posted on 23/08/2003: 132 views

Arabia is the only place that produces frankincense, myrrh, cassia, cinnamon and the gum called ledanon, according to the Greek historian Herodotus (485-425 BC). The main incense fragrances were frankincense and myrry. This Arabic fragrance still has the still has the charm of days gone by. Called the peal of the desert, its production and trade in the UAE started a long time ago and it was as important then as oil today. Frankincense is usually mixed with other fragrances. When burnt it gives rise to a pure white fragrant smoke. Its resin can be chewed to soothe the stomach and for throat pain.



‘Bitter' is the Arabic translation of myrrh, which describes its taste. It is also used as a medicine. In the past it was used for embalming, as a cure for cancer, leprosy, and syphilis. Myrrh, mixed with coriander and honey was used to treat herpes. It was used as an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent and tonic. It has the longest life of any known scent and was of special value as a fixative, able to mix with other perfumed ingredients and last longer. But it does not itself have a strong fragrance. It is a dark oily gum resin and comes from a very thorny tree. Commiphora Myrrh, and other species mostly found in mountains.



Frankincense and myrrh are both resins – dried tree sap – that come from Genus Boswellia (frankincense) and Commiphora (myrrh) trees common to Somalia. Collecting the sap is similar to collecting rubber tree sap or pine tree sap. The hardened sap is collected and used as frankincense and myrrh. They burn the powered incense with charcoal in the mabkhurah, a special small stand. This has become a tradition and passed on from generation to another.



Going through the tradition and heritage of the UAE, one can see that they used the milky sap of the frankincense tree, and called it luban, which may mean milk. Spices and many herbs are used to prepare perfumes, cosmetics, hair preparations, air fresheners and the like. Tradition is full of stories about frankincense. Dhows shipped thousands of tonnes of the precious frankincense annually all over the world. It is part of the Gulf's region's heritage. Historians say that frankincense was ordered to be burnt by the Emperor Nero at his wife's last rites. Still be found in the UAE, it is a mark of hospitality. Incense burners are passed around visitors. Festive events like weddings, Eid celebrations and births are incomplete without burning them. (The Gulf News)

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