Burning incense ('
bakhoor') inside the house is a very common thing to do here in Sudan. The small pottery where the incense and charcoals are usually burned on are locally made and designed with nice yellow or red designs. On his way to the field, Frank came across a market stall where a large lady was selling the bakhoor and the nice accessory pottery, so he decided to stop by. The saleswoman was very convincing and she was happy to explain about this local custom with her hands and feet. At some point she decided to take it a step further and while smiling mysteriously she opened a special bucket which had safely been put away. She opened it and showed it to Frank like it was something very precious. What Frank saw inside the bucket came across as the paste we use to make Indonesian-style peanut sauce, but by the way the saleswoman was presenting it, he assumed it must be something completely different. The driver who had accompanied him tried to explain something in English about 'married women' and 'nice smell'. Frank must have still had a question mark on his face, when the lady decided to offer a bit of this special paste as a present. So, it happened that a few minutes later, Frank arrived back in the office, proudly holding his new pottery, bakhoor and the special paste in his hand. The moment he stepped in, showing his new purchase, the atmosphere in the office changed completely. The women started to blush and giggle, while the men got a new glow on their face and clearly gave their approval for Frank to bring in these special smelling items. I was standing in the doorway, when one of the blushing ladies came up to me and whispered: "
This is only for married women and it is especially for the bedroom!" It had become clear that this special paste, in combination with the bakhoor, is a local aphrodisiac! Married women are supposed to burn the perfumed incense and rub the paste on their body so their skin will have a nice, lingering, seductive smell for their husbands. The fact that Frank had entered the office with these 'intimate products' so openly exposed had clearly given everyone something to smile and talk about for the rest of the day. And I can imagine they will closely keep an eye (and nose) on my odour the next coming days ;)
