Maydi Chewing Gum

Composition: pure resin of the boswellia frereana (maydi) variety; untreated, 100% organic.

Source: Collected in the foothills near Rari Buul by Said Awad Araale. The Boswellia frereana species that produces the chewable maydi incense grows in high elevations and distant locations. For chewing purposes, only the highest grades of resin are used: mushaad (grade 1) and mujawar (grade 2). 2Mages chewing gum is a combination of both.

Background: Maydi only grows in Somaliland and Puntland. Nearly all the Mushaad and Mujawar is sold throughout the Horn of Africa and the Arabian peninsula to chew on. Much of it is sold during the annual Hajj to Mecca. Pilgrims consider it a rare spiritual product that they like to bring home as a souvenir.

Use: start by chewing a small piece, without applying much pressure from the jaws. The hard, crystal-like structure first crumbles into what seems like sand, then immediately recomposes itself into gum. It keeps its taste for hours and only gradually loses its elasticity. Each piece of gum may taste slightly differently. The colour and opaqueness of the gum provide some indication about how it may taste.

This resin can also be burnt or heated for its delicious citrus and pine needle odour. Chemically, there is no difference between the Mushaad and Mujawwar used for chewing, and the ordinary Maydi resin typically burnt.

Caution: the gum may adhere to clean tooth surfaces—this is normal and not harmful. If gum sticks to teeth, rinse mouth with warm water or tea and remove the gum gently with a toothpick or fingernail. Do not attempt to remove with a toothbrush (the gum will stick to the brush and may ruin it).

Benefits: Why do people chew this resin? According to local usage, Maydi is excellent for your oral hygiene and calms your digestive tract. It induces a contemplative mood. It also helps with partial fasting and keeps your mouth hydrated when fresh water is lacking (which is one of the reasons Somali nomads chew it).

Note that maydi is almost devoid of boswellic and other acids; to our knowledge no scientific research has been conducted on the benefits of chewing it. We rely solely on tradition and personal experience for the above.

Storage and shelf-life: This resin is packed in an aluminium can with a screw lid. It has no date of expiry

Fair trade: We pay what the members of the cooperative think is a fair price. In addition, 10% of the listed price (excl VAT) is donated to the Beeyo Maal foundation to improve working conditions among harvesting communities and the regeneration of frankincense forests. See our page on conservation and trade issues. Another 10% is invested in the activities of Arawelo, which seeks to establish a new model for trade in products collected in the wild by indigenous communities worldwide by building short supply lines to consumers while facilitating research and advocacy.

Note by our sourcer:

I never chewed gum in my life. I find it looks silly. In addition, chewing gum often loses its taste fast, and then I don’t know how to dispose of it. But this is different. It can keep me going for hours, especially when I walk long distances, and it removes any craving for snacks; it must be good for intermittent fasting. I notice it also brightens my mood a bit. When I’m done I feel I’m doing nature a pleasure when I toss it away; the residue dries in a few minutes and it won’t stick to the soles of your shoes!

Ruins of the fort of Sayyid Abdallah Hassan in Taleex. The ‘Mad Mullah’ fought against British rule in Somaliland for twenty years