Sudanese Wedding Ceremonies Series
Daq al-Reeha Ceremony – Heritage Before Perfume
Drawing from the heart of Sudanese heritage, where generations have passed down cherished customs and traditions, the Social Office of the German-Sudanese Association launched the Sudanese Wedding Ceremonies Series. The series is designed to connect younger generations of the diaspora with their cultural roots and traditions. It began with the Daq al-Reeh ceremony, held on July 14, 2024, at the home of the Head of the Social Office in Wiesbaden.
In Sudanese communities, wedding-related rituals are not limited to the celebration itself. Preparations begin well in advance and involve elaborate processes of making traditional perfumes and incense, both of which are considered essential for the bride’s adornment and the marital home. Inspired by this, the session introduced women in the diaspora to the art of preparing khumra (traditional perfume) and various types of incense, safeguarding this heritage by passing it on to young women.
The Craft of Beauty
Preparations for the event started two weeks earlier under the guidance of Mrs. Nawal Babiker, a woman with unparalleled expertise and deep passion for these traditions. The first step was sourcing rare natural ingredients, including:
Musk and sandalwood for a deep, luxurious fragrance.
Mahlab and dufra for long-lasting scent.
Sandalwood essence, sandal oil, and other aromatic oils.
Most of these ingredients had to be brought in from outside Germany.
During the session, participants learned how to carefully select ingredients, with emphasis on fermentation and aging — steps that give Sudanese khumra its uniquely enduring aroma. The women then created incense themselves, sharing stories and experiences about the secrets behind each blend.
A Truly Special Atmosphere
For Sudanese women, Daq al-Reeh is far more than a social gathering. It is a journey through time, reviving the secrets of Sudanese perfumery, an art form that stretches back hundreds of years and continues unchanged in Sudan.
Because Daq al-Reeh usually takes place within close family circles weeks before the main wedding, the relaxed and intimate setting creates a magical atmosphere. The space was literally filled with the richness of perfumes, oils, and aromatic woods.
The joy was heightened when the group discovered that one of the attendees was a former artist, specializing in daluka singing — a traditional drum-and-song performance that is integral to Daq al-Reeh. Her performance transported everyone directly into the authentic Sudanese wedding mood.
More to Come
Against the snowy backdrop of the Rhine-Main region, Daq al-Reeh acquired a unique charm for Sudanese living thousands of miles from their warm homeland. The Social Office affirmed that this was just the first step in the “Sudanese Wedding Rituals Series,” promising many more events to immerse the community in Sudan’s treasured traditions — stories that deserve to be told to future generations.
