Copal is the crystalized resin from the Bursera tree family. The ones found in the valley of Oaxaca are predominantly Bursera Copallifera and Bursera Glabrifolia, or Copalito. This one is also the wood used in hand carved figures or Alebrijes.
To do this, aside from being careful of the use of fire, the self igniting coal bricks do the job well, let it get evenly ignited or until it starts turning ashy and white. Alternatively during ceremony, pieces of burning wood or coal from the fire can be placed in a Copalera and then you can carefully place some small pieces of Copal resin. The amount of Copal you choose to burn will determine the amount of smoke it releases. Start small--A little goes a long way-- Always break copal into smaller pieces so that the coal is not "drowned" with melted resin. Black copal tends to leave a dry resin after burning that can be replaced with a fresh bit of copal to keep the smoke aromatic.
Although called Copalero in many other countries, in Oaxaca the feminine version is more prevalent. Their three-legged design makes them also very unique.
Most of the finishes of Copaleras: Natural Clay, Barro Negro, Barro Verde (Green Glazed) can resist the high temperatures of ignited coal. As soon as a small piece of Copal is put on top of the coal, a big cloud of pure incense is released.
A Copalero is not only a safe but also a scared tool to burn incense in a ceremonial or casual setting.
Always use caution and take it from one of the legs as the cup gets hot.
If burning indoors watch for smoke alarms since they will go off if there is not continuous ventilation.
If any questions on burning copal please reach out to us.
Happy burning!
See some videos and stories on Copal burning on our Instagram account -
thepalmproject.net
Copyright © 2024 thepalmproject.net - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.