In the spiritual culture of West Africa, smell is not just a sensation. It is a mediator between worlds, a sign of the presence of ancestors, an invitation to spirits and an element of purification. Aroma is part of a rite, ritual, prayer, healing. It creates an invisible atmosphere in which body, soul and space unite.
In villages and cities, in huts and temples, aroma accompanies a person from birth to death. It is evoked by smoke, rubbed into the skin, burned as a treat to the spirits. Each resin, each oil has its purpose – and its respect. These traditions are not just alive – they are woven into everyday and sacred life.
West African peoples have preserved and passed on knowledge of scent for centuries, from shamans to students, from mothers to daughters. This is not about perfumery as an industry, but about scent as part of a worldview. This knowledge is subtle, sensitive, and at the same time deeply practical.
In this article, we will explore how scent plays a key role in West African ritual culture: what is used, when and why, and how this experience inspires modern fragrances.
Resins and Smoke: Clearing the Space
In many peoples of the region, cleansing the space before the ritual is a mandatory step. This is done with the help of smoke from burning resins. Smoke not only drives away insects, but is also considered a means of driving out evil spirits, bad thoughts and illnesses. It marks the beginning of a “clean time” when interaction with higher powers is possible.
The most commonly used resins are Commiphora , Opopanax and Akan Frankincense . They are collected by hand, dried in the sun and stored in cloth bags. Before the ceremony, a piece is placed on the coals or in a special bowl. The aroma, spreading in a circle, creates a protective field around the participants.
Characteristic odors:
● bitter-resinous;
● dry, with a slight sweetness;
● warm, but not cloying;
● resistant, settling on fabric and skin.
For perfumers, this experience is a source of inspiration. It is in smoke, with its texture, dynamics and spiritual meaning, that they find the depth to create the base accords of fragrances.
Incense as a gift to the spirits
Smell is often used as a form of offering in ritual. Instead of food or gold, the spirits are offered aroma. It is burned, poured, sprayed – and it rises up, becoming a bridge between the earthly and the otherworldly. This practice is typical for countries where the belief in ancestors and spirits of nature is strong: Benin, Togo, Nigeria, Mali.
Incense in a ritual can include up to 7-9 components collected at different times of the year. These are:
● bark and wood shavings (eg kia, cham);
● resins and oils (myrrh, baobab, palm extract);
● spices (pepper, ginger, cumin);
● dried flowers and leaves.
The mixture is hand-ground, sometimes with honey or wine, then burned on a hot stone. The resulting aroma is complex, warm, slightly spicy, with a woody body and sweet undertones. It symbolizes respect, a willingness to listen and connect with higher powers.
Oils on the skin: scent as protection
Applying essential oils to the body is an ancient practice common throughout West Africa. It serves not only cosmetic but also spiritual purposes. The oil enhances the aura, protects from negativity, and activates energy. It is especially often used in initiation rites, healing ceremonies, and before important events.
The composition of the oils is a closely guarded secret. They are prepared by women from special lines or spiritual healers. The basis is:
● shea butter, tamanu, baobab;
● macerates with petals and resins;
● herbal and spice extracts.
The oil is applied to specific areas of the body: forehead, wrists, chest, back of the head. The smell of these mixtures is dense, warm, enveloping. It can remain on the skin for a day or more, opening up in movement and interaction with body heat.
Modern natural perfumes and oil perfumes draw inspiration from this practice: they also strive for intimacy, sustainability and connection with the body.
The smell is like the voice of ancestors
In many ethnic groups, smell is considered a form of communication with the ancestors. It replaces words, accompanies requests, and rises when clarification or protection is needed. During the ritual, participants may walk around the house, burning leaves and whispering prayers, or inhale smoke with their eyes closed to “enter the channel of communication.”
It is believed that ancestors recognize their descendants by smell. Therefore, ritual aromatic mixtures are not universal. Each family, each shaman has its own formula, inherited through generations. They are used only in specific ceremonies, with a specific intention.
Main elements:
● dry leaves of sacred trees;
● dust from the altars;
● sandalwood or African cypress;
● rare resins, available only to the initiated.
This approach creates an idea of aroma not as fashion, but as a language. It is the language of the invisible, smells instead of words.
Rituals and Scent in Contemporary Culture
Despite urbanization and globalization, ritual aromas have not disappeared. They can be found in markets, temples, and everyday life. Some traditions have adapted — for example, they began to be used in relaxation practices, in SPAs, in local branded oils and candles.
Modern fragrance designers, inspired by this heritage, create perfumes that have a ritualistic feel: warm woody bases, smoke, spices, earthy and fleshy tones. These compositions do not shout, but remain in the memory.
The new trend is perfume compositions created in collaboration with African incense artisans and masters. These are:
● social brands investing in culture;
● craft collections based on local ingredients;
● fragrances inspired by real rituals and stories.
This not only involves an exchange of smells, but also the restoration of dialogue between cultures.
How Modern Spirits Take a Cue from Rituals
Fragrances with a ritual spirit are in demand among those who seek not just “beauty” in perfumes, but depth. Modern brands increasingly turn to themes of purification, protection, and sacred sound. This is reflected in marketing, formulas, and the image of the wearer.
Perfumes are often created that:
● open slowly, like smoke;
● have a stable wood or resinous base;
● provide a “grounding” effect;
● are associated with silence, strength and concentration.
Wearing such fragrances means not just decorating yourself, but integrating the scent into your personal space, customizing your perception. This is a new level of consumption: from aesthetics to meaning.
The ritual scents of the peoples of West Africa are ancient knowledge that eludes formulas, but lives in smoke, oil, prayer. They are not made for display, they are made for connection. Contemporary perfumery, respecting these traditions, finds new forms for the old truth: smell is a path.
And if there is a breath of ritual in the aroma, it means that it carries with it not just notes, but history, strength and respect.
Questions and Answers
Resins, spices, wood powders, oils and leaves.
They serve spiritual purposes – purification, protection, communication with ancestors.
Yes, many brands create fragrances with ritual depth and meaning.