Biznaga, an old Andalusian Jasmine tradition in Malaga
The biznaga is an old tradition from the Southern Andalusian city of Malaga. It is a very special flower arrangement made of the fresh flowers of jasmines and can only be found in Malaga. Biznaga is an Arabic word and means gift of god.
The flowers are picked in the early morning before they have opened.
Afterwards they are put into the spikes of a thistle which has dried completely. The thistle has been collected earlier that year. Each closed individual jasmine flower is placed by hand on each individual stem. This requires practice and patience.
The jasmine flowers open little by little and leave a magnificent trail of natural jasmine. I have never been able to find a perfume which could equal this wonderful scent which is so connected to the city of Malaga.
The biznagas are sold traditionally in summer on the streets of Malaga by biznageros, men wearing a white skirts, black trousers and a red waistband. The individual biznagas are put into a fresh large cactus leaf, called penca and can be bought on the streets.
The image of a biznagero selling his jasmine flowers was such a popular view that a statue adorns the city of Malaga, El biznagero made by the artist Jaime Pimentel. It can be seen at the gardens of Pedro Luis Alonso and is one of the symbols of Malaga.
In August Malaga and its Malaguenos are celebrating their big annual festival,the Feria. During this week biznagas can be found everywhere.
Most photographs are courtesy of Charro Gallego and her wonderful website www.biznaga.com and some are my own. Thank you for your permission to use these pictures !
Previously published: August 19th, 2013
Re edited: March 12, 2016