The Turmeric Journey
From Ancient India
Turmeric, the healing power used in India for centuries, first discovered in South India 2500BC. Turmeric eventually emerged as an important part of Ayurvedic medicine, an ancient Indian system of natural healing still practiced today. Ayurveda meaning 'life knowledge' in the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit.
The use of turmeric in ancient India was extremely favourable, especially for cultural customs both in root and dried powder form. With its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it was used on the skin to brighten, repair and glow. Turmeric also had a role in every ritual as it signified purity, fertility, good health, and while taken as a drink, could ease mild anxiety and depression. However, the importance of turmeric went far beyond medicine and beauty as Hindu's especially still see turmeric as auspicious and sacred.
The golden powder was also used in Punjab, to the North of India. A key part of Punjabi weddings involved the ‘mayian ceremony’ normally performed one day before the wedding. The bride is seated on a wooden plank and a paste consisting of turmeric, flour and oil is rubbed on her face, arms and legs. During this ritual, women sing traditional songs aimed at blessing the bride and groom with radiant, blemish free skin.
From 130BC, turmeric had slowly trickled both East and West across the ancient Silk Roads. Traveling on the backs of thousands of camels to China and Babylon (modern day Iraq) rumours of its benefits had also reached Ancient Rome and it soon became ‘the’ beauty treatment for Roman women.
During the late 16th century, Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama, arrived in India having discovered a NEW sea route from Europe to Asia. This connected the Atlantic and Indian oceans, which in turn connected the West to the Orient - marking global multiculturalism. Spices, treasures and civilisations found in India’s heartlands now travelled even further along by ship from Calicut (modern day Kozhikode) to the markets in Africa, Europe and beyond. Turmeric had found its way into the new world.
The inspiration behind Marici
Sanskrit one of the worlds oldest languages
The MĀRĪCĪ brand is inspired by the vast history of Turmeric use in beauty and culture. Today, after its long journey from India through Arabia, Europe and the West, MĀRĪCĪ endeavours to ensure that traditional remedies, rituals and beliefs have not been forgotten. Indians around the world still practice many of the rituals passed from their ancestors and from, generation to generation, still use them today. From the receipes of homemade turmeric (haldi) face masks passed down from the older generations to the younger, to a soothing cup of hot turmeric milk.... the magic of turmeric will always have a place in Indian homes the world over.
MĀRĪCĪ 'Turmeric Multi Balm’ Inspired by the Punjabi wedding rituals of the Mayain Ceremony. A 5000 thousands year old root plant combined with modern day skin care ingredients and technology, brings the old world and new world together. The personal and spiritual journey is the unique connection.
Sanskrit, one of the oldest known languages in the world, found in the scriptures of many Indian beliefs, is the inspiration as to why I felt drawn to name my brand 'MĀRĪCĪ as this means 'beam of light'