Lance Carson
Bint El Sudan is a Chypre fragrance for women and men that was launched in 1920. It is the world's best-selling non-alcoholic perfume and is especially popular in Africa. The perfume has top notes of citrus, lemon, peppermint, petitgrain, and lavender extract, with middle notes of geranium, jasmine, and cloves, and base notes of patchouli, cedarwood, moss, and labdanum. It is available as a perfume oil and can be purchased online through platforms such as Etsy. The story of Bint El Sudan began in 1919 when a group of merchants approached a British salesman, Eric Ernest Burgess, in Khartoum with a request to create an oil-based perfume that reflected their local identity. The resulting fragrance became a huge success, with its fame spreading across Africa.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Chypre, non-alcoholic perfume |
| Top Notes | Citruses, Lemon, Peppermint, Petitgrain, Lavender Extract |
| Middle Notes | Geranium, Jasmine, Cloves |
| Base Notes | Patchouli, Cedarwood, Moss, Labdanum |
| Longevity | 3.5/5 |
| Sillage | 1.75/4 |
| Variants | Oil-based, bar soap, body powder |
| Year of Launch | 1920 |
| Creators | W.J. Bush & Co. |
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What You'll Learn
Bint El Sudan's history
The history of Bint El Sudan perfume began in 1919 when 14 merchants approached Eric Ernest Burgess, a British salesman for W.J. Bush & Co. in Khartoum. The merchants brought with them a variety of exotic essences, such as jasmine, lilac, lily of the valley, musk, and amber. They wanted to create an oil-based perfume that reflected their local identity.
Burgess delivered the vials to the W.J. Bush & Co. laboratories in London, where they were blended into a fragrance with some substitutions to make it more affordable. Bint El Sudan, which translates to "Daughter of Sudan", was introduced in 1920 and became an instant hit. Its fame spread across East, West, and South Africa through trade caravans, and it was even used as a form of currency by traders.
The perfume was widely used in Africa, particularly in weddings and spiritual rituals, and gained immense popularity following the wave of African revolution, national independence, and modernization in the 1960s. By the 1970s, Bint El Sudan was producing an estimated 12 million bottles per year, becoming the world's bestselling non-alcohol-based perfume. It earned the nickname the "Chanel No. 5 of Africa" and was marketed in the United States as a fragrance from the Motherland for the African diaspora.
However, the image of Bint El Sudan underwent changes due to political reasons. Following the 1989 coup in Sudan and the subsequent discriminatory Arabization project led by Omar Hassan al-Bashir's regime, the label became politically incorrect. The image on the perfume label, originally a young Sudanese woman from a photograph titled "The Three Princesses" taken by Eric Burgess himself, was altered to be fully clothed and white-skinned, reflecting the regime's agenda against Sudanese racial and cultural identity.
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Top, middle and base notes
Top, middle, and base notes are the three layers that form the foundation of every fragrance. Each note plays a unique role in the olfactory experience, creating depth, balance, and emotion. These layers determine how a scent unfolds over time, from the first spritz to the lingering final impression.
Top notes are the scents that captivate you from the first spray. They give you the first impression of a fragrance and usually help the fragrance tell its unique story. They are the most volatile of the three notes and evaporate the quickest. Ingredients in this group are the strongest for the first few minutes and will start to disappear after 10 to 20 minutes. Top notes are largely composed of fresh and uplifting floral or citrus scents. Some popular top notes include lemon, bergamot, rose, lavender, peppermint, and airy scents.
Middle notes serve as the heart of a perfume, emerging once the fleeting top notes dissipate. Lasting approximately 20 to 60 minutes, these well-rounded and full-bodied aromas define the perfume’s character and provide balance between the fresh opening and the rich base notes. Often warm, floral, or herbal, middle notes create a lasting impression with aromas like linalool, a naturally occurring compound known for its calming and aromatic properties. As the fragrance layers evolve, these heart notes create a seamless transition, keeping the scent engaging and well-balanced.
Base notes are the least volatile, meaning they evaporate the slowest and last the longest of all the notes. Their true scent can take a while to be revealed, but then it can go on to last for days. Predominantly composed of deep and warm ingredients such as woody, balsamic, and musky notes, base notes give lasting power to fragrances and warm up the lighter top and middle notes. They are the grounding step of a fragrance, providing balance and an increased depth to the overall composition.
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Where to buy it
There are several places where you can buy Bint El Sudan perfume. One option is to purchase it online through websites such as Etsy, which offers a vintage Bint El Sudan essence spray. This particular listing ships from the United States and appears to be a rare find. Another option is to check large retail stores such as Walmart, which offers Bint El Sudan oil perfume in a 28ml size.
Additionally, some users have reported finding the perfume on eBay, where you may be able to purchase the "original" perfume oil formula. This could be a great option if you're looking for the classic fragrance.
It's worth noting that Bint El Sudan was once the world's best-selling fragrance, especially in Africa. However, one user reported having difficulty finding it in South Africa, suggesting that online purchases may be the most reliable option.
Lastly, when purchasing Bint El Sudan perfume, it's important to be aware of potential imitations or variations on the original fragrance. As with any online purchase, it's always a good idea to research the seller and product thoroughly before making a decision.
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The story behind the label
The story behind the Bint El Sudan label is a fascinating one that dates back to the early 20th century. In 1919, a group of 14 merchants approached Eric Ernest Burgess, a British salesman with W.J. Bush & Co. in Khartoum. These merchants brought with them a variety of exotic essences, such as jasmine, lilac, lily of the valley, musk, and amber. They wanted Burgess and his company to create an oil-based perfume that aligned with their local identity.
Burgess delivered the essences to the W.J. Bush & Co. laboratories in London, where they were blended into a fragrance with some substitutions to make it more affordable. Bint El Sudan, which translates to "Daughter of Sudan", was introduced in 1920 and became an instant hit. Its fame spread across East, West, and South Africa through trade caravans, and it even became a form of currency, with traders using Bint El Sudan bottles as a means of exchange.
The young woman depicted on the perfume label is said to be one of the "Three Princesses" photographed by Eric Burgess himself. However, as the fragrance gained popularity, the label underwent a transformation amid political turmoil. During the discriminatory Arabization project targeting Sudanese racial and cultural identity, the Bint el Sudan image was altered to portray a fully clothed, white-skinned woman.
Despite these changes, Bint El Sudan remained a beloved fragrance. It was widely used in weddings and spiritual rituals, especially during the wave of African revolution, national independence, and modernization in the 1960s. By the 1970s, it had become the world's bestselling non-alcohol-based perfume, earning the nickname the "Chanel No. 5 of Africa." Its popularity extended beyond the continent, with marketing in the United States targeting the African diaspora as a fragrance from the Motherland.
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How to use perfume oil
Bint El Sudan is an alcoholic-free perfume oil created in 1920 by W.J. Bush & Co. It was once the world's best-selling fragrance.
Perfume oils are typically more concentrated than eau de parfums or eau de toilettes, so a little goes a long way. Just a few drops are enough to produce a beautiful fragrance. They are best applied sparingly to the skin or clothing.
To apply perfume oil to your skin, you can use your fingers or an applicator stick. Dab a small amount of oil onto your wrists, behind your ears, the back of your neck, your collarbone, or the inside of your forearm. You can also rub some between your palms and apply it to your hair or the ends of your beard. If you plan to apply perfume oil to your skin, it is recommended to do so 15 minutes after a shower when your skin is still warm but completely dry.
To apply perfume oil to your clothing, first, ensure that the oil will not stain by testing it on a small, hidden area of the fabric. Then, place a drop or two of oil into the palm of your hand and gently stroke your clothes.
You can also mix perfume oils with unscented lotions to help the fragrance last longer. However, be cautious when applying perfume oils, as using too much can be overwhelming. If you experience any skin irritation, discontinue use immediately and wash the area with soap and water.
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Frequently asked questions
Bint El Sudan is a Chypre fragrance for women and men. It was launched in 1920 and is the best-selling perfume in the world, especially in Africa.
The top notes of Bint El Sudan are citruses, lemon, peppermint, petitgrain, and lavender extract. The middle notes are geranium, jasmine, and cloves. The base notes are patchouli, cedarwood, moss, and labdanum.
Bint El Sudan perfume can be purchased online from retailers such as Etsy and eBay. It is also available from some brick-and-mortar stores in Brazil and South Africa.
