Copal Pod – Jaguar Reserve, Belize
The ancient Mayas were masters at understanding nature and using it for natural remedies or spiritual cleansing.
For spiritual cleansing and connection with their gods, the Mayas used the Copal Tree pods as an aromatic incense. The Copal Tree produces a sap inside its bark that emanates a strong, almost intoxicating odor if smelled from up-close. The tree also produces a pinkish pod through its branches that emanates the same odor when broken or split.
The pods –as well as the sap– when smelled from a distance of a couple inches from your nose, does have a very pleasant smell that is similar to fresh, natural potpourri. Smell it even closer, and that smell will go straight up through your nasal cavities and feel almost like a nauseating brain-freeze. It is strong!
In ancient times, the Mayas had many uses for this aromatic substance. The common class used it as incense during ceremonies to cleanse their soul from bad spirits. In addition, the Maya rulers mixed the sundry pods with blood and burned them in a small ceramic bowl as an offering to their gods; and it was also used as regular incense when the Maya ruler wanted to preach to its people.
It’s interesting how nature had a big influence in the Maya rituals and beliefs, even down to the smells. Still to this day, many Mayas still practice the burning of Copal incense.
