Burning incense, also known as ‘Dhukkhan’ or ‘Turaren Wuta’, is increasingly
becoming popular among ladies in Borno State, especially the Shuwa Arabs
and Kanuris who use it to attract men. Burned in a charcoal fire in a metal or
ceramic burner to warm their body, the ladies believe the scent attracts men.
The popularity of the incense has risen to the extent that even non-Shuwa or
Kanuri women use it often. The popularity has seen even married women
getting on the trend’s boat. In fact, it is difficult to see them not using
Dhukkhan, as Hajiya Ashe Al-Amin, a Shuwa Arab civil servant in the state, put
it: “Dhukkhan or Turaren Wuta is part of our life and we cannot do without it.”
She added: “If you want to marry any Shuwa lady in Borno State or Chad you
must be ready to provide Dhukkhan as one of the necessary requirements for
the marriage and the man must be ready to provide same, for as long as they
remain together.”

When asked if Dhukkhan has any power to attract men, Hajiya Ashe said there
is no magic in it. “Every person likes good things. It is the sweet scent that
attracts the men. Dhukkhan is of different types, and so also the unique
fragrance. When you burn a good combination, your husband would like to sit
near you, eating his food and enjoying your company because of the nice
fragrance. His friends will be waiting for him outside, but he won’t want to
leave you. That is the reason why we do not allow young girls to use
Dhukkhan before they marry. Men will attach themselves to them and that will
be another problem. No man can resist the power of Dhukkhan, unless they
did not mix the right combo for him,” she said.

Miss Adama Tom, a Shuwa Arab from the University of Maiduguri, said
Dhukkhan incense is a combination of selected scents that come in form of
sticks, mixed with other fragrances, originating from the Arab world. “It is
imported from Arab countries, as well as Egypt, Sudan, Chad, Saudi Arabia and
others. The combination possibilities are endless,” she said.

She added: “That is why when a Shuwa woman passes by, you will know her
class from the scent she’s wearing. It’s when [Kanuri women] realized that
they were losing their husbands to Shuwa women because of the power of
Dhukkhan that they also started using it. Now Hausa - and even Igbo women -
are using it.”

Our respondents said when a Shuwa family is marrying out a daughter, the
dowry is the first major requirement, closely followed by money to buy
Dhukkhan. “Without money to buy Dhukkhan, you can never marry a Shuwa
Arab girl,” said Miss Adama.

The incense is housed in beautifully-decorated vessels, arranged in a cupboard
or showcased in a glass case for wedding guests to see on the special day.
Even after giving birth, Shuwa women use Dhukkhan to treat themselves. Miss
Adama said after giving birth, “They will put a small amount of Dhukkhan in
hot charcoal and sit close to it and cover up with a cloth so the incense
vapours would cover them up, with the belief that it will make them healthier
and look younger, and also heal them quickly from the effects of childbirth.”
Barrister Aisha Wakil is an Igbo lady who uses Dhukkhan, as she said both
Islam and Christianity encourages the use of fragrance. “It can be used in the
bedroom, sitting room, on clothes and on one’s body, to smell nice,” she said.
Barrister Aisha explained that when the incense is burned and it fills the air
with sweet fragrance, it means a lot to a Kanuri man. “It attracts your husband
to you. It also brings joy to a Kanuri man, as even if he doesn’t have appetite
for food, the fragrance of Dhukkhan triggers him to eat,” she said.
Adam Saleh is a Maiduguri-based businessman who told Daily Trust that he
regularly gives his wife money to buy incense, because he likes it. But he
added: “That is why men should not allow their wives to use certain types of
Dhukkhan when going out, as that will attract other men.”

At the Monday Market in Maiduguri where the incense is sold in large quantity,
Chairman of Dhukkhan traders at the market, Alhaji Basiru Usman said it has
been popular for over a century. Though it is largely imported, a substantial
part of it is locally produced in the state, with patrons from all over the world.
Alhaji Usman also said: “We sell Dhukkhan in kilograms ranging from N1,000
per kilo depending on the type. People from other states, including the South,
all come to buy Dhukkhan. We have the trees used in producing Dhukkhan
here in the state but we import the perfume we use in mixing it from countries
like United Arab Emirate, Saudi Arabia, Chad, Sudan and Senegal. We have a
big market for it here though insurgency is slowing down our business.”
Fatima Bukar, 30, a Dhukkhan trader in Gwange, also produces the incense
locally, including types used as room freshener, body ointment, oil, hair cream,
and for clothes. “Young ladies that have identified men that they like will come
and I will mix Dhukkhan that they will use to ‘catch’ them. There is power in
Dhukkhan,” she smiled.

Source - http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/feature/how-borno-ladies-use-local-incense-to-catch-men/149679.html?platform=hootsuite

Dat why dem dey burn dozens.

Upon all dia beauty, dem still need external force to attract men.

Mean dey dnt know what dey ve.

Trash, pls go and spray modern perfumes on ya body..

You burn incense to attract your men yet they ignore you to look for our under-aged Southern girls.

Nansensi!

Ndi Ara!

Was I suppose to comment on this. I am waiting to see that the perfume attracted p square. Good for them. Sha

Lovely tradition or custom I must say

theodavid:
That is African science.

If only they could use it to better the continent instead of useless sorcery.

onye awusa