Smoking ceremony

A smoking ceremony is an ancient custom among some Aboriginal Australians that involves smouldering various native plants to produce smoke. This herbal smoke is believed to have cleansing properties and the ability to ward off bad spirits. In traditional, spiritual culture, smoking ceremonies have been performed following either childbirth or initiation rites involving circumcision.[1] More recently, elements of smoking ceremonies have been incorporated into Welcome to Country performances.

Smoking ceremony during Aboriginal Welcome to Country in Townsville, Queensland

Research has shown that heating the leaves of Eremophila longifolia (commonly known as the Berrigan emu bush), one of the plants favoured by Aboriginal people for smoking purposes, produces a smoke with significant antimicrobial effects. These effects are not observed in the leaves prior to heating. Fumigating a newborn infant, a mother who has just given birth, or a boy who has just been circumcised, would therefore assist in preventing infection. This research appears to support the traditional belief that the smoke could ward off bad spirits.[2]