Sudan is a cultural amalgamation of many peoples, tribes, and nations each with its language and culture. This rich diversity is something that has led to the development of one of the most complex incense and perfume cultures in the world dominated and perpetuated by women*. Each kind of incense plays a specific role and has many layers of spiritual implications. Out of all those, the most luxurious is considered the Sandalwood incense usually made for new brides, and burned within the confines of the private chambers of the home only. When it's burned in the bedroom, an action called 'kabrata', it's a signifier of readiness and desire as the incense is considered to be an aphrodisiac and pleasure inducer.
Traditionally Sudanese women didn't wear a wedding band when married but would use a specific perfume called Khumra, burn sandalwood, and incense their bodies in a smoke bath ritual called dukhan. These scents culturally notating their nuptial status.
