No other piece of oud paraphernalia holds a higher rank in the eyes of a committed oud-adept than the hallowed mubkhara, or Oud burner.  Their designs range from rustically simple to the most embellished, and as we shall see, have not changed much over thousands of years. Let us look more in detail at several different styles now.

Saudi Arabian

First off, and possibly most instantly recognizable, is the Saudi-style burner. This traditional style has a square metal base with inward sloping sides which support a square cup with outward sloping sides.  4 legs support the square cup on top. The top cup will be plated with metal, to be able to bear the hot coals. Variations on this model range from the simple, unadorned wooden or aluminum mass-produced models, to those made of precious metals, encrusted with jewels and/or emblems of royalty, which are works of art within themselves. Also of note here, are more modern versions of these burners, which are plug-in electrical requiring no coals, and even a small portable burner for the car, which plugs simply into a cigarette lighter! Apart from these new variations, these burners have remained virtually unchanged for 2,000 years.

Tarimi

Secondly, we have the traditional Tarimi-style burner. Its shape varies slightly from the Saudi burner in the fact that most Tarimi models come equipped with a handle. This handle is functional for frequent use in congregations, in which the burner is passed from person to person. In the common Yemeni style, these burners are much more rustic, and usually made of hand-carved wood, which gives each model a more unique appearance. They are quite lower in height and stubbier than the Saudi-style. Some come painted in muted colors, and other are simple wood tones. These examples of mubkhara are quite rare outside of Yemen or circles of Yemeni immigrant communities.

Moroccan

Last but not least, we have the refined beauty of the Moroccan-style Mubkhara. Perhaps the most visually striking and ornate, the Magribi-style mubkhara carries all the history and tradition of  Andalusian elegance. Most commonly made of pressed stainless steel, the Moroccan style burner usually has a wide hexagonal base on 5-6 small feet. Towering upwards, 4 more feet have been placed on the base holding the main burner, which has an ornate, domed (sometimes pointed), attached lid. They are commonly engraved and have intricate metalwork lattice surrounding the burner level and lid. When used, the lid is closed, and the smoke wafts upwards through the latticework creating a visual feast. Even the smallest versions are quite large, with the largest being too big to even be lifted!

No matter what the design may be, the revered mubkhara is always handy, patiently awaiting the next aloeswood burning session, and never leaves the side of the adept. For years on end they toil while demanding nothing in return, only to improve and deepen with age.

The Oudimentary Society for Aloeswood Enthusiasts (OSAE) is an international fellowship of men and women united by their love for the use of aloeswood on physical, psychological, and spiritual levels.

The society was founded in 2004 to provide a community for like-minded aloeswood aficianados where they could learn, teach, assist, and serve this rapidly-growing alliance of aloeswood burners. 

OSAE is dedicated to the research and preservation of the ancient tradition of aloeswood use in a modern-day setting. 

We hope this group will provide a platform where interested people can get and share information, ideas, stories about this blessed wood, which is known by many names, including agarwood, oud, oudh, aloes, gaharu, eagleswood, or as the “Bubble Love-Love.”

In these days of high-paced workweeks, drive-thus, and what seems like constant bombardment of technology, we find it important to carry on a respected, almost primal tradition in the midst of it all. Wood. Fire. Smoke. Scent. 

From the gathering of friends, to the lighting of the coals, to the journeying to higher levels of understanding, to the remembrance of the Divine; all are a part of this sacred heritage in which we embrace wholeheartedly, and hope you will as well.

If like us, you feel the quest for the better burn is perpetual, we request for you to join OSAE.

Oud burners of the world unite! Burn it, be it.

(For more information, see http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=43094005847)

After several years of searching, Oudimentary is happy to announce that we have finally found an aloeswood oil to rival our famous KFF Cambodi oil.

If you are familiar with our KFF oil, you will be quite pleased with our presentation of KSSS. Think KFF, only stored and aged for years to make all subtleties stand out more.

With aloeswood oil, ageing is a refining process, and that the longer you let oils hang around without being used, the better they get. They are literally allowed to marinate and steep in itself deepening the scent without you having to do anything except be patient (not always an easy task).

It is not unusual for aloeswood adepts to have several bottles stashed away for years (or decades) at a time, patiently waiting for the alchemical process to turn that simple aloeswood oil into an immutable, inextinguishable, immortal nectar which grants realization of the divine. Being the nice guys that we are at Oudimentary, we took that long step out for you so you can time travel to the straight funk.

KSSS has all the beauty you would expect in classic Cambodi oil, but without any harshness found in less quality oils. Ages very nicely on skin, deepening as the day or night goes on. At the base there are foresty notes, mahogany and dried berry.  Top notes indicate apricot, pipe tobacco. It is pure bottled subtlety.