Oman Frankincense Information
Another famous Omani product is incense, especially frankincense for which Oman is famous as the world’s biggest producer. The frankincense resin producing trees only grow in two other places, the Hadhramaut region in Yemen and in northern Somalia. In ancient times frankincense made Oman rich, and it was exported all over the ancient world, supplying amongst other places the ancient Jewish Temple in Jerusalem and the temples of of Egypt, Greece and Rome. It was very special to finally see and smell this substance which is mentioned so many times in the Bible and which in the ancient Near East was more valuable than gold and precious gems. Another ancient incense, myrhh is also widely available in Oman. A verse from Song of Songs came to mind while I was wandering through the incense and perfume stalls in the souk: “Who is this is who comes up from the desert like pillars of smoke perfumed with myrhh and frankincense and all the merchants powders?” (Song of Songs 3:6). Now perhaps I have an idea what those smells were like
