The value of frankincense in southern Oman's economy
The value of frankincense in southern Oman's economy
Overview of frankincense production in the Dhofar region, Oman.
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Transcript
In the Dhofar region of southern Oman. Dhofar has a unique climate. It shifts from moist, almost tropical heat, to arid, desert conditions. The Romans called this area Arabia Felix - happy, affluent Arabia.
The locals could thank one plant in particular for their good fortunes: the frankincense tree. Resin from this tree is still harvested today. A number of people still earn their living doing this. One of them is Ali-Minzu-Hail-al-Aruhi. He carefully scrapes open the bark with a sharp knife. Now he'll have to wait three weeks until the resin is dry. The resin on this tree is ready to be harvested. For centuries frankincense was one of the world's most precious essences. Even the pharaohs were fascinated with its scent. At that time frankincense was worth as much as gold. Nowadays, Ali can get 40 euros for a kilogram at the market.
Ali has a visitor. It's a frankincense dealer, Jihad bin Ali. He visits all of his suppliers personally twice a year. With their well-versed eyes, the merchant and his brother can tell how good the harvest was. Trade in frankincense has a storied past and future, says Jihad. Ali and Jihad come to an agreement. Eighteen kilograms of resin have just changed hands.
Not far away, on the coast, is the capital of the Dhofar Region, Salala. Salala used to be the hub of the frankincense trade. Its fragrance still lingers over an entire quarter, the Frankincense Souk. A plethora of shops in the area sell everything and anything that derives from this special resin. One of the shops here belongs to Jihad and his family. The white, sometimes greenish resin, is separated. It's thought to be a highly-potent medicine that alleviates gastrointestinal and other ailments. In a small laboratory chemists boil the resin to extract its essences. The most valuable thing made with frankincense today: one of the world's most expensive perfumes. A tiny flask of frankincense perfume costs around 1,000 euros.
Tu, Felix Arabia - what a fortunate country it is that can call such natural treasures its own. The Romans were spot on when they lent the land of frankincense this name.
The locals could thank one plant in particular for their good fortunes: the frankincense tree. Resin from this tree is still harvested today. A number of people still earn their living doing this. One of them is Ali-Minzu-Hail-al-Aruhi. He carefully scrapes open the bark with a sharp knife. Now he'll have to wait three weeks until the resin is dry. The resin on this tree is ready to be harvested. For centuries frankincense was one of the world's most precious essences. Even the pharaohs were fascinated with its scent. At that time frankincense was worth as much as gold. Nowadays, Ali can get 40 euros for a kilogram at the market.
Ali has a visitor. It's a frankincense dealer, Jihad bin Ali. He visits all of his suppliers personally twice a year. With their well-versed eyes, the merchant and his brother can tell how good the harvest was. Trade in frankincense has a storied past and future, says Jihad. Ali and Jihad come to an agreement. Eighteen kilograms of resin have just changed hands.
Not far away, on the coast, is the capital of the Dhofar Region, Salala. Salala used to be the hub of the frankincense trade. Its fragrance still lingers over an entire quarter, the Frankincense Souk. A plethora of shops in the area sell everything and anything that derives from this special resin. One of the shops here belongs to Jihad and his family. The white, sometimes greenish resin, is separated. It's thought to be a highly-potent medicine that alleviates gastrointestinal and other ailments. In a small laboratory chemists boil the resin to extract its essences. The most valuable thing made with frankincense today: one of the world's most expensive perfumes. A tiny flask of frankincense perfume costs around 1,000 euros.
Tu, Felix Arabia - what a fortunate country it is that can call such natural treasures its own. The Romans were spot on when they lent the land of frankincense this name.