I treasure my collection of Somali incense burners known as dabqaad (‘fire raiser’ in English). They are made from white African clay and come in all different shapes and sizes. For me, it’s the most traditional, affordable way of having African art in your home. I’m also a scent freak! I am Muslim and it’s very common in our culture to burn incense for Eid or when you’re praying; it’s something I’ve grown up with and it means so much to me.
I work quite a lot in the Middle East and I go to the souks to look for the most traditional Arabic incense burners. A client gifted one to me on my first project in Kuwait. The other two are the ones I use the most–by my bed, on my desk and if I go on holiday they come with me!
I also have a drawer of incense (frankincense, different ouds, patchouli) mostly from Africa and Saudi Arabia. As I get older, my obsession is getting worse. When it’s my birthday, I always tell my friends, ‘Just get me an incense burner!’ I love the form, the shape, how simple and organic these objects are. Between my mum and I, we have about 40 in total. My partner calls them witchcraft!
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When I get up, even before I make coffee, the incense burner goes on. It makes me feel calm and peaceful. Certain scents ignite a creative flame in me – when my burner is going I feel a bit more centred and imaginative. While I’m designing I’m always thinking, ‘What incense would I have blasting through the AC system?’ or ‘What smell would I have in this room?’ It definitely adds another dimension to the space. miminat.com
