While looking up the history of machmoum, small fragrant bunches of jasmine flowers sold on the street in Tunisia, I read a theory that the tradition is Andalusian in origin, which seems plausible. Jasmine was introduced to the Iberian peninsula after the Umayyad conquest in the 7th century, and there was a large influx of displaced Andalusians into Tunisia from the 13-16th crnturied during the reconquest of the peninsula and the Inquisition. Many of their traditions were absorbed into Tunisian culture.
Speculation on historical origins aside, small bunches of jasmine flowers called biznagas are still known in Southern Spain. They are specifically associated with the city of Málaga.
A biznaguero offering biznagas for sale in Málaga, Spain [X]
A machmoum seller offering machmoums for sale in Tunis, Tunisia [X]
Biznagas are made by inserting closed flowers of Spanish jasmine, Jasminum grandiflorum, one by one onto the stems of dried, preserved inflorescences of the bisnaga plant, Ammi visnaga. Bisnaga is known as toothpickweed in English
Machmoums are made by inserting closed flowers of Arabian jasmine, Jasminum sambac, one by one onto the dried stems of halfa grass, Stipa tenacissima, and tying the stems together with thread. Halfa is also known as needle grass in English
Afaik, biznaga comes from an Arabic root meaning gift of God, and machmoum, مشموم، refers to a thing that is smelt, especially any sweet-smelling thing. (As always, corrections and additional etymology welcome)
Despite their common names in English, Spanish jasmine is native to East and Northeast Africa, the Arabian peninsula, South Asia, and Southeastern China, and Arabian jasmine is native to Southeast Asia
