Makkah: The craft of making Makkah incense burners is among the traditional handicrafts closely associated with Makkah households, forming an integral part of hospitality culture and attention to everyday details. It remains present to this day despite changes in housing patterns and the rapid pace of urban life in the Holy Capital.
According to Saudi Press Agency, this craft relies on precise manual skills, including selecting suitable wood or metal, shaping the piece, carefully hollowing it to ensure balanced diffusion of incense smoke, and polishing and finishing it in line with the Hijazi aesthetic, which favors practical simplicity and avoids excessive ornamentation.
Estimates by handicraft specialists indicate that about 60-70% of Makkah families still use incense burners in their homes regularly, whether for daily use or social occasions. This keeps demand for these products stable throughout the year, rising by an estimated 30% during Ramadan and holiday seasons. A number of artisans practice this craft within residential neighborhoods or through small workshops. Field sources estimate that dozens of workshops and families working in the cottage industry in Makkah rely partially on this industry as an additional source of income, with an average monthly output of 20-50 pieces per workshop, depending on demand and the materials used.
The incense burner industry supports a low-cost local economy by requiring little capital and providing flexible job opportunities, particularly for productive families, in line with programs supporting handicrafts and empowering families, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.