Incense Mecca Oman: Christmas smells so promising in a souk

by time news

2024-12-12 14:10:00

When Jesus was born, the ⁢wise men from the​ East brought incense and gold ‌to Bethlehem. the⁣ solidified resin of the rare ⁤frankincense tree and its history ‍can hardly ​be better explored than in a souk in ‍Oman’s capital,Muscat.

Shadows⁢ in long robes race in ​the semi-darkness, running from ‍store ‍to store, ⁤disappearing up three flights of stairs into stores that​ measure only a few square meters and have shelves that reach ⁣to the ceiling.

It has⁢ a sweet ‌smell, of‌ sugar ‍and strong tea, also of ​tobacco⁣ and oriental⁤ spices – and above all of festivity, of church, of worship,‌ in some way of Christmas.

Meanwhile, from outside, a neighborhood muezzin calls for prayer, and ⁣from afar others join the choir. Its minaret is as invisible as itself, hidden behind the beamed ceiling and stained glass roof above the ⁤alleys of Muscat’s Al ‌Muttrah Bazaar.

A few seconds⁤ earlier, ⁤Murtada Najwani‍ had appeared at the counter of Bakhoor al-Ameen in a long white robe: he needed four kilos. Urgent. He‌ has almost nothing left, the⁤ house supplies​ are almost finished. “Good quality, please,” he said and pointed⁣ to the mountain to the left​ of ⁣the counter, “About this!”

Al-Ameen takes the shovel and​ plunges⁤ it into the pile ⁤of ⁣yellow-brown stones, each a different shape, all hard and yet none truly‌ stony. he puts them ‍on old-fashioned scales ‌and juggles the weights.

What does Bakhoor al-Ameen⁢ sell? Incense. And myrrh. In the third generation in the small family ‌shop in the middle of the ⁤al Muttrah souk in the capital of Oman. During his working day he doesn’t see what the weather is like. He⁣ chats, collects money and calls in the semi-darkness of the covered bazaar.

If the sun ⁣shines? More likely. As almost always here, near⁢ the south-eastern​ tip of the Arabian ⁢Peninsula, less than 100 meters from the shore of the Indian Ocean. What’s cooking in that little bowl next to the cash register? Incense. Naturally.

and what does Murtada⁢ want with those four kilos? ‍He burns them little by little ⁣together with⁢ a few ⁢pieces of coal, throughout the house, throughout‌ the ‌day, in small terracotta bowls that look like aroma⁤ lamps.⁤ He loves‌ this ⁤perfume,he ‌has known it since he was a child and he only avoids this smell when ‍he travels. “He belongs here. At home. It’s like your garden.⁢ You don’t take it⁤ with you when you travel,”‌ he says. The one ‍he⁣ just‍ bought should last​ about a month.

Incense has long been a mystery

In the past this substance was weighed in gold; for a long time Europeans ‌did not know what material ‌it was actually about, whether it was of mineral or vegetal origin. and where exactly does ⁤it come from. The‍ mystery ‍surrounding​ this material⁤ made it even more interesting in antiquity and ⁤the Middle Ages.

incense was so precious to

Even today, people in the West associate incense with Christmas. Bakhoor al-Ameen heard this:⁤ “For the Magi from the East brought frankincense​ and myrrh as ‌precious gifts to ‍Bethlehem.”​ And as he says this, ​some fragments slide back and forth between the fingers of his right hand.

The frankincense tree thrives only in a few very specific‌ climate zones. It must ‍be warm, but also humid.It should drizzle occasionally, but ⁢it shouldn’t‍ rain. This is the‌ case in southern Oman, in the⁢ hinterland of Salalah, 1,000 kilometers from the bazaars of‍ the capital, as well as in Yemen, some‌ south-western‍ corners of Saudi⁢ Arabia and Somalia.

With candy against ⁤demons

The ‍alleged stones ⁤are the hardened resin of the incense tree, which rarely exceeds two ⁣and a half⁣ meters, develops a⁤ large foliage and offers an average yield of‍ between three and seven kilos per ‌year. The‌ bark is scratched three ​times‍ over the course ⁤of twelve months and milky resin comes out which soon solidifies. The third ‍harvest always offers‍ the best quality.

according to tradition, collecting incense is not entirely safe. No ⁤man should ever ​do this, never without first beating the drums and⁣ singing, and certainly not ​without placing a ⁤bowl of the ⁢sweet ​halwa beside​ the⁣ tree. Oman believes⁤ that under‌ every incense tree lives a ‍demon that needs to be⁤ appeased.

And so as not to feel too weak,they come​ with 25 men and ‍ask the demon in their songs⁤ if they can‍ collect. This has practical⁢ benefits: the legend ‌helped ‍protect​ the trees. For centuries,fear of the demon has prevented thieves from secretly gathering incense ‍in remote valleys at night.

Does incense have an ⁤effect? Murtada Najwani shrugs: “They say it feeds angels. And yet: it smells fantastic and kills flies.” Now he⁢ laughs. And quickly puts another crumb on the fire.

Tips and ⁣data for Oman:

I‌ arrive: Take⁤ a flight,for example Omani air (www.omanair.com) from Frankfurt or ⁣Munich to‌ Muscat. Other ‍airlines offer connecting connections.

accomodation: The “Centara Muscat” is located in the center of the Al-Ghala ⁤buisness district. ‌An overnight stay⁣ in a double room for two people starts from just under 50 euros. Directly on the Gulf of ‌Oman to the east of the city lies the “Shangri-la Barr ‍al Jissah“, from 235 euros. ‍

class=”is-link c-block-items__link is-external c-link–rich-text-renderer” href=”https://experienceoman.om/” target=”_blank” title=”(Link wird⁢ in einem neuen Tab geöffnet)” rel=”nofollow noopener” data-internal-tracking-enabled=”true” data-internal-tracking=”{“action”:”click”,”label”:”link”,”name”:”Inline Element”,”data”:{“source”:””,”target”:”https://experienceoman.om/”,”trackingName”:””,”trackingLabel”:””}}”>Oman Tourism office

Participation in the trip‍ was supported by Shangri-la. Our ⁤standards⁢ of transparency and journalistic independence can be found ‌at go2.as/unabhaengigkeit.

– How is frankincense harvested and processed for ‍use today?

Interview Between Time.news Editor and Frankincense Expert

Editor: Good afternoon, ‌and thank you for joining ⁤us ​today.‍ We’re diving into a fascinating ⁢topic: ​frankincense.⁣ A⁣ resin ⁣that has been revered for ⁢centuries, ‍and its importance has even reached‍ biblical‌ lore. Can you start by ‌explaining what frankincense is and why it has been such a treasure throughout⁣ history?

Expert: Thank you for having me! ​Frankincense is the aromatic resin obtained from the Boswellia ⁤tree, primarily ‌found in regions like Oman, Yemen, and parts of somalia. historically,it ⁤was valued not only for ​its unique fragrance but also for its use in religious⁢ rituals,traditional medicine,and even as currency. ⁣Actually, it was so precious that it was frequently enough⁢ weighed in gold! Its association with the gifts presented to⁢ Jesus by the⁢ Magi further highlights ⁣its cultural and spiritual significance.

Editor: That’s quite intriguing! In your ‌experience, how‍ does the production of frankincense work? I understand it thrives in very specific climatic conditions.

Expert: Absolutely, the frankincense tree prefers a warm, humid​ climate⁣ with specific rainfall patterns—it needs a drizzle rather than heavy rain. Collecting the⁢ resin ​involves making⁢ incisions in the bark,allowing the sap ‍to ooze out and harden into what we ‍recognize as “tears” of ​frankincense.⁤ The yield is relatively low, averaging between three to ‍seven kilograms ‌per tree annually,‍ which makes‍ it​ a lasting yet precious resource.

Editor: Speaking of⁣ its scarcity, the⁤ act of purchasing frankincense in places like Muscat’s Al Muttrah Bazaar ⁤sounds like ⁣a rich⁢ experience. Can you describe ⁢how the market atmosphere contributes to the gratitude ​of frankincense?

Expert: The ambiance of the souk plays a ⁢huge role in the overall experience.⁢ The blend of spices, the warmth from ⁤incense burning, and the sounds of merchants calling out their wares create⁣ a ⁣sensory tapestry that is truly enchanting.When people smell frankincense​ in such an surroundings, it often takes ⁢them back to deep-rooted⁤ traditions and memories. It’s not just a transaction; ​it’s a part of cultural heritage.

editor: I can only‍ imagine how evocative that‍ must⁣ be! The article ⁤mentions Murtada Najwani needing four kilos of frankincense. How ⁤do people⁣ typically use it, and what is its relevance in everyday‌ life today?

Expert: Great question! many people, like Murtada, burn frankincense ⁣in their homes as a means of purifying the air, creating a pleasant fragrance, and enhancing the ‌spiritual atmosphere. It’s commonly used in rituals during holidays ‌and⁢ is a staple in‌ many households. The scent of frankincense​ can evoke feelings of comfort and nostalgia, as many have⁣ grown up with it in their lives, tied intimately to family gatherings and traditional practices.

Editor: ‍That’s really‍ touching. The connection to ​one’s home and ⁣memories adds a ​whole new depth to the appreciation of this resin. The piece also mentioned that⁣ frankincense had a mysterious allure‌ in ​the past. How has our⁤ perception of it changed over time?

Expert: Historically, there were many misconceptions about frankincense. ⁣Europeans, as an example, were​ largely ⁤unaware of ⁢its origin and its true nature for centuries. Today,while its mystique remains,there is a greater understanding and appreciation of its⁤ properties,both as a medicinal agent and in aromatherapy.​ More recently, people are also becoming more interested in sustainable sourcing and the ecological impact of harvesting frankincense, acknowledging the need to protect these precious trees.

editor: It’s ⁤certainly heartening to see that appreciation ‌evolve. Before we wrap up, what is one captivating fact about frankincense that most people might not ​know?

Expert: Many people don’t realize that frankincense‍ has use‍ beyond fragrance—it’s been studied for its⁢ potential health benefits,⁣ notably anti-inflammatory properties. Some research suggests that it‌ may help with conditions like arthritis and even contribute​ to stress relief. This connection between ancient practice and modern science really ⁢highlights how timeless frankincense⁤ truly is.

Editor: Thank you so ⁣much ​for sharing your insights on frankincense. It’s clear that this gorgeous resin has so much ​history and significance, and its​ story is⁢ as rich as its aroma!

Expert: Thank you for having me!⁤ It’s been a pleasure to talk about such a remarkable part of our cultural heritage.

You may also like

Leave a Comment

Statcounter code invalid. Insert a fresh copy.