Thread: Incense...is there a meaning? Whens? Whys?

We were having a video night and watching Fifi and during a portion of the video she was followed around by a man waving incense who also went into her orchestra.

I've heard Nour used it on her DVD maybe during an entrance? Can't remember the circumstances there offhand.

I was just wondering if anyone out there knew if there was any significance to the use of incense in a performance?

Nour was carrying the incense censor herself as she entered during a khaleegy number, then she set it down near the front of the stage IIRC and went on dancing.

Thanks for asking the question, Beki!

Many people traditionally wave incense or a burning bundle of white sage in the air to cleanse a space of negative energy. This explanation would probably make the most sense, to me - the man was probably doing this to create a pure space for Fifi to perform in.

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

Many people traditionally wave incense or a burning bundle of white sage in the air to cleanse a space of negative energy. This explanation would probably make the most sense, to me - the man was probably doing this to create a pure space for Fifi to perform in.

A logical answer, but highly unlikely. This was in the middle of the show, and Fifi was making her entrance as a character... and not a pure one!

Originally Posted by Lauren_

and Fifi was making her entrance as a character... and not a pure one!

It all makes a lot more sense now that I have some background information...context is always key ..l;,

Originally Posted by beki

We were having a video night and watching Fifi and during a portion of the video she was followed around by a man waving incense who also went into her orchestra.

I think I have that same video. I was curious too. I was watching it with a friend, and we thought it seemed odd. It looked to us like he was ritually blessing her. If there's a story behind it, I'd love to hear it.

Was she stepping over it 7 times? In Egypt, this is a ritual to protect against envy or the evil eye. We're a very superstitious people.

Another question: was this in the play " Hazmni Ya? If so, it's part of the story and I can explain it. I liked this play.

Like SatinW, I need more info ..g.:

I was once in a Saudi situation and an incense burner was handed round to everyone. So far as I could tell it wasn't ceremonial - any more than, say, handing round a plate of biscuits might be ceremonial in terms of who, in the gathered group, might be perceived as allowed to have the plate first or eat the most - but just a hospitality thing. The plan seemed to be to waft the pleasant smoke in your face, then signal to pass it to someone else. I assumed it was just related to the fact that your average Saudi comes from a place that is extremely hot and dry, and presumably traditionally if you went to visit someone you'd be going by camel across a hot dry desert, and on arrival in their home (possibly a tent) you'd be all sweaty and/or dusty. Incense would produce a pleasant cleansing and relaxing sensation for everyone present, in lieu of being able to have a really serious wash.

I hope we can find out Fifi's incense context!!

OK, found it. It's from the video Fifi Abdo "The Egyptian Star. The song is Yahlela Ya Oulad. Fifi comes out in a black and silver one piece costume, black high heeled sandals and rhinestone jewlery. Even though it's a one piece costume, it looks more nightclub style than folkloric. A more traditional looking band of musicians and a guy in a white robe and cap carrying an incense burner on a chain come in behind her. Fifi strolls around the entire stage swishing her skit while the guy walks behind her wafting incense toward her. Once she makes one circle around, he stays in the back in front of the musicians and continues to swing the incense burner in front of him while she continues her dance.

Then, for the next song, Yard Thadi, she sits down on a folding chair and keeps messing with her hair and and adjusting her breasts while he walks around her with the incense. She sings a few lines into a microphone (all I caught was aiwa a bunch of times) and then gets the incense guy to say something into the microphone. Then she sings a song and does some dancing while he keeps swinging the incense.

Anyway, watching the whole thing again, it seems like it's supposed to cute.

Originally Posted by princessisabella

Was she stepping over it 7 times? In Egypt, this is a ritual to protect against envy or the evil eye. We're a very superstitious people.

Another question: was this in the play " Hazmni Ya? If so, it's part of the story and I can explain it. I liked this play.

Like SatinW, I need more info ..g.:

Princess Isabella, thanks for your posts...there's nothing better than to get the insider's point of view!!! ..g.:

The folk magic explanation is the one I've heard as well. There is a clip of Fifi doing this here (the 7 steps over the censer):

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mujrn4GJndc&feature=related]YouTube - Fifi Abdou - Shisha (part1)[/ame]

I think I know the clip that Beki was talking about (though I couldn't find it on YouTube)...she's wearing a black dress, right?...in that one, she doesn't step over the censer, the guy just waves it near her body. I wonder if the meaning is similar?

Nisaa

Originally Posted by Zamira

OK, found it. It's from the video Fifi Abdo "The Egyptian Star. The song is Yahlela Ya Oulad. Fifi comes out in a black and silver one piece costume, black high heeled sandals and rhinestone jewlery. Even though it's a one piece costume, it looks more nightclub style than folkloric. A more traditional looking band of musicians and a guy in a white robe and cap carrying an incense burner on a chain come in behind her. Fifi strolls around the entire stage swishing her skit while the guy walks behind her wafting incense toward her. Once she makes one circle around, he stays in the back in front of the musicians and continues to swing the incense burner in front of him while she continues her dance.

Then, for the next song, Yard Thadi, she sits down on a folding chair and keeps messing with her hair and and adjusting her breasts while he walks around her with the incense. She sings a few lines into a microphone (all I caught was aiwa a bunch of times) and then gets the incense guy to say something into the microphone. Then she sings a song and does some dancing while he keeps swinging the incense.

Anyway, watching the whole thing again, it seems like it's supposed to cute.

Thank you Zamira. Yes, this is the performance we watched. Fifi Abdo The Egyptian Star Belly Dance Video - At DancingRahana.com

Wonderful job describing the scene, Zamira, that's the one!

I read a fairly detailed account once of how women in North Africa will, in their homes, stand over incense as a way of initiating relations with their husband. The non-verbal cue is necessary because just asking for it is not considered acceptable. This was in Sudan or Ethiopia, I think, so I'm not sure how it might relate to Egyptian customs. But I always assumed this was the meaning in Fifi's vignettes where she stands over incense and looks naughty (not the scene referred to by the OP).

Originally Posted by nisaasaintlouis

Princess Isabella, thanks for your posts...there's nothing better than to get the insider's point of view!!! ..g.:

The folk magic explanation is the one I've heard as well. There is a clip of Fifi doing this here (the 7 steps over the censer):



Nisaa

You're welcome Nissaasaintlouis. I'm happy to oblige. This scene is actually the same one I have from the play " Hazmni Ya."

The scene Beki describes is similar to what gets done in coffee houses in Egypt. I'm not sure if you guys are familiar with the concept of the Mu3lim or the Mu3lima. The Mu3lim, pronounced Muaalim, is the business owner, shisha bar owner. It's become almost a folkloric figure in Egypt. Usually this person is
illiterate, simple, wad balad and runs his small empire with an iron fist. Fifi, being from humble roots, always liked to represent this character in her shows. The scene you describe seems like the traditional cleansing of the space. Incense, like Zumarad described, is a way to show hospitality. Almost no shisha shop, coffee house is ready until it has been 'incensed.' Water in the doorway is also key.

I've seen incense used two ways in Morocco - a big handful of it thrown into a charcoal brazier, then walked through rooms to cleanse the space, and also, again in the brazier, preceding the bride in a procession.

Originally Posted by zumarrad

I was once in a Saudi situation and an incense burner was handed round to everyone. So far as I could tell it wasn't ceremonial - any more than, say, handing round a plate of biscuits might be ceremonial in terms of who, in the gathered group, might be perceived as allowed to have the plate first or eat the most - but just a hospitality thing. The plan seemed to be to waft the pleasant smoke in your face, then signal to pass it to someone else. I assumed it was just related to the fact that your average Saudi comes from a place that is extremely hot and dry, and presumably traditionally if you went to visit someone you'd be going by camel across a hot dry desert, and on arrival in their home (possibly a tent) you'd be all sweaty and/or dusty. Incense would produce a pleasant cleansing and relaxing sensation for everyone present, in lieu of being able to have a really serious wash.

In Saudi the incense comes out when it is time for the guests to leave ..l;, seriously! You go in to the home, spend a lotta time talking, have something to eat, get your coffee and then *boom* out comes the incense and you say your ma'salamas (goodbyes).

AHAHAHA! That is funny because they were passing it around at a cultural fair, and nobody would have had the slightest idea!!

Sounds to me like we were seeing the Mu3lima character, and the incense guy was there to establish the character.

Thanks for all the help!

Still not sure why Nour had incense in her khaleegy dance, but it could have been related to the lyrics or something maybe?

Yes! Thank you all for your insights.