On Sunday 9 July 2011, South Sudan seceded from Sudan and became the world’s youngest country. The conflict in Sudan has been well documented, but little attention has been paid to the crafts and arts of Sudan. Few people realize what a rich reservoir to the aromatic past Sudan is, and that Sudan once played a vital role in history of Perfumery and the trade of aromatics. [Read more…]
Buchu – Agathosma
Buchu is perhaps the best known Aromatic herb from Southern Africa. I am particularly fond of it since my great grandparents farmed it in the mountains of Piketberg. I have vivid childhood memories of going down to the celler and burying my face in the big bags of dried Buchu leaves to immerse myself in the minty black current scent of Buchu. [Read more…]
The Mysterious Myrrh & Frankincense (via AddisEthiopia Weblog)
Myrrh and Frankincense have had spiritual significance since ancient times and they also were adopted as medicines for physical ailments. When referring to this pair of herbs, many people might immediately think of their historic importance in religion. The herbs are best known through the story of the Three Wise Men (Magi) [Read more…]
Omumbiri – Updates
When you follow a passion it will lead you to unexpected pathways. Love is blind”, does not just mean you cannot differentiate between the positive and negative, but also that you cannot foresee where it will lead you. You may fantasize where it will lead you, but it is almost guaranteed to be off the mark. In the heady mists of seduction you can not foresee where it will lead you. [Read more…]
Is Southern Africa The Cradle of Perfumes?
In January I finally met Karen Knott in person. It was wonderful to hear all the fascinating stories behind the Omumbiri project. They are sponsored by the British WWF. One wonderful story she tells is how they went about identifying the various Commiphoras. It took them a long time to collect branches with leaves from a wide area, with which to approach the Himba ladies to identify. To their horror the ladies promptly pulled off all the leaves [Read more…]
