The Fragrance Mystique: A Primer
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The modern world of fragrances comes to us from a myriad assortments of advertising, promotions and marketing, whose primary purpose appears to be selling us on the benefits of an instant formula: smell good + feel good = the attraction of a genie in a bottle (magic).
Is it myth or reality? The upside of myths are, they possess some truths. The downside of myths are, they possess some truths. The entire truth is that scents are everywhere, the power of the sense of smell goes often unnoticed (the familiar) at the conscious level. Aromas can have a profound impact on the dynamics our human emotions, cognition, behavior, survival and our ability to thrive.
We occupy a world which attempts to marginalize our sense of smell, while promoting other senses (vision, hearing), this has a tendency to disorientate and keep us out of balance.
What are the origins of scents? How powerful is the sense of smell? Why is the vocabulary for the sense of smell underdeveloped? What are the effects of urbanization and technological trends on our sense of smell?
Do certain fragrance scents effect our thinking, mood, memory, productivity, alertness, sense of well-being, confidence, sensuality, creativity, etc.? What are the differences between essentials, absolutes, carriers, perfumed oils, colognes, toilet waters, etc.? What are the many uses of fragrances? Does the sense of smell help in weight loss? Is a nose born or made? Why do fragrance aromas smell and act differently with individuals and cultural groups? What has been the impact on humans turning away earth (essences) towards cyberspace (artificial distractions)? Why was the 'Nose' destroyed on the Great Sphinx of Ghizeh? What role did fragrances play in the building of the pyramids in the Nile Valley civilizations? Have we taken leave of our senses? What do you bring to the table (contribution) besides an appetite and attitude? What is the distinction between civilization and colonization?
These are some of the questions this primer addresses. We trust this reference becomes a welcome addition to your library and a useful guide in your personal social, educational and business (trade) life.
This primer is a deliberate attempt to demystify and illuminate your world. Remember, the fragrance scents have enhanced the human sensory experience for a multitude of purposes. The only limits to their impact are the ones you place upon your imagination.
The premise of this primer is: 'A truly educated person (people) is one who has a sense of history (memory), sound character (MA'AT), a command of one's senses and a vision (shared)' - which allows one to wake up and smell the roses.
The purpose of this primer is to contribute to the existing body of knowledge in the field and help the layperson to become liberated and literate in reference to our sense of smell and fragrances and their impact on our human sensory experience.
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About the Book
This primer presents a unique approach to a subject which is widely practiced, i.e., fragrance use, but narrowly understood. Fragrance use comes out of a people's history, culture, experiences, social processes, bio-chemistry, and environment.
This author brings to light the breadth and depth of the power of our sense (perception) of smell and the fragrance experience in a way which is compelling and accessible to the layperson and/or scholar. Connections are made between scents and our human sensory system, for empowerment and improvement of our quality of life. The art/science of fragrance use is not new, its being rediscovered and we trust, improved.
The primary purpose of this work is to provide literature that is both enlightening and relevant to the African/Afro-Latin/Carribbean and African-American publics in particular and the larger world markets in general. Currently, the U. S. fragrance market has sales of $5.4 billion approximately 43% of that total can be attributed to African Americans.
This book contains an extensive bibliography of related references to this subject matter, but none address this topic in the manner and perspective in which the author demonstrates.
About the Author
Jamu Wayne Tukes is an educator, counselor, administrator, consultant, researcher, writer, lecturer and community activist. He has a Doctor of Philosophy degree (Ph.D.) in counseling psychology (1993), received M. A. in Urban Studies (1978) and a B. A. in Social-Psychology (1972), and is married to Abena, while parenting three children, Ari, Efia, and Sidney.
Tukes is currently Senior Academic Advisor at Columbia College, Chicago. He is previous co-founder (1993) and owner of House of Fragrances Inc., and has had employment affiliations with Bobby E. Wright Comprehensive Community Mental Health Center, Institute of Juvenile Research (University of Illinois - Chgo., Medical Complex), Better Boys Foundation, General Employment Enterprises and Radio Marketing Research.
Tukes is an innovative thinker and practitioner who has studied with some of the great thinkers and teachers (self-taught and formally trained). He agrees with the collective wisdom of our ancestors, 'The Foundation of a truly educated person rests upon character development and a thorough command of the senses.'
He has published essays on a wide range of relevant topics in local, national, and global publications and has made guest appearances on various broadcast media.
Tukes is currently working on two major projects (institutions): The Aura Centre (T. A. C.), a wholisitc/ comprehensive approach to empowering people through sensory stimulus. The second, The Assessment Project (T. A. P.), a strategic instrument designed to gauge in a systematic way, the pulse of our assets, i.e., providing an accounting and clear picture of our knowledge, skills, talents, gifts, genius and resources, for purposes of confidence, marketing and institution building.