Kunkunuzzi

The kunkunuzzi is a special kind of incense used by the Zashkihantas Shangas, a group of religious specialists responsible for performing exorcisms on ghosts, which are quite a frequent occurrence in Andaperna. It is dried sap from the mirrushpain tree that has undergone a special treatment within the sacred confines of a temple.

The fact that the sap has to be harvested under specific conditions as well as being transported in highly specialised containers hints at the kunkunuzzi being a product of alchemy, which would be a rare occurrence of alchemy in Andaperna cultures and traditions.

Mirrushpain trees are the only source of kunkunuzzi. Two forms of kunkunuzzi exist: Regular kunkunuzzi is won by cutting the bark of the trees and having the sap run into a container below the cut. The trees have the interesting property to not bleed immediately after cutting. Mirrushpain trees seem to go into a state of shock when being hurt, contracting their vascular system for a short while. So the cuts can be carefully arranged in a way that makes the sap run into one direction where a small cup is put to catch it. Sap from several trees is put into a shallow metal bowl - iron, copper, bronze or brass - and reduced over a small fire until it turns from a whiteish milky liquid to a thick honey-like liquid. This liquid is then poured onto a flat surface in droplets and let to harden. These droplets are called kunkunuzzis igyash.

Special kunkunuzzi for use in exorcisms or other rituals performed by a Zashkihantas Shangas is won from the same source, but the mirrushpain trees have to be of sufficient age, which means at least two hundred years old. In fact the mirrushpain trees are catalogued and monitored to ensure access to sources of so called pakkush kunkunuzzi ('pure kunkunuzzi'), as this form of kunkunuzzi is essential to deal with ghost, spirits and spectres, which haunt the Andaperna people.

First, to harvest the sap, the cuts that are made into the bark of the tree have to follow a certain pattern. It is also crucial to keep the exact stroke order, as otherwise the kunkunuzzi can only be used to produce kunkunuzzis igyash. The cup used to catch the sap needs to be red in colour. All other colours have proven to yield insufficient results. The sap then has to be brought into a temples inner sanctum, where it is processed much like the regular sap for kunkunuzzis igyash, but as opposed to that sap, it has to be processed in a silver cup. While being reduced, the sap turns cinnabar red, unlike regularly harvested and processed kunkunuzzi.

Kunkunuzzis igyash is a relatively widespread good, that is used as incense in temples, palaces and private homes of those, who cann afford it. Mirrushpain trees are by no means rare and the sap can be easily obtained. The only problem arises from it being slightly toxic until treated with heat. For this reason regular peasants do not produce kunkunuzzis igyash, as they have to spend their time with subsistance farming and compulsary labour. The kunkunuzzis igyash can be bought at many major market places. They are also often exchanged as small gifts among wealthier people.

Pakkush kunkunuzzi on the other hand is rare and expensive. It is crucial for the rituals of the Zashkihantas Shangas, who need the smoke to expel ghosts from places, where they are unwanted. Most often they work for private clients who need their house or private well exorcised. Sometimes officials call upon them, if crossroads, bridges or mountain passes show paranormal activity and trouble travellers and traders.

Kunkunuzzi smells like smokey honey. It's warm and mellow smell fills up temples and wealthier living quarters. Pakkush kunkunuzzi is believed to cause blindness in those, who are not trained to perform exorcisms. That is why areas and houses, where exorcisms are performed, are cleared out. Zashkihantas Shangas state, that the smell of pakkush kunkunuzzi is no different from kunkunuzzis igyash, despite the far more complicated extraction and processing.