Taylor Scott International News
2013-09-09 By Ebrahim Omar in Doha Oud, a resinous heartwood extracted from the Agarwood tree and widely used in the manufacture of perfume, can sell for up to $55,000 a kilogramme. [Ebrahim Omar/Al-Shorfa] The use of incense and traditional Arabian fragrances such as oud are part of Qatar’s popular heritage that has been passed down from generation to generation. Oud — a dark, resinous heartwood which forms when the Agarwood tree is infected with a specific type of mould — is particularly prized. Oud has a very distinct, pleasant odour and is widely used in the manufacture of perfumes. “Qataris’ demand for oud, oud essence, different kinds of incense and oriental mixes continues throughout the year, but sales go up during Ramadan, holidays and wedding celebrations,” said Thamer Hussain Hafedh, head of sales at Abdul Samad al-Qurashi, a producer of Arabian perfumes and fragrances. Prices vary for the different varieties of oud, Hafedh told Al-Shorfa. “The Klakasy Indian oud is considered to be the best and most expensive variety, with one kilogramme reaching 200,000 Qatari riyals ($55,000), followed by the Kanamir oud with a 120,000 riyal ($33,000) price tag per kilogramme,” he said. “Then there is the Kiara oud and al-Sayoufi oud.” There is a demand for all types of oud, but al-Sayoufi comes first in terms of sales volume due to its high quality and its relatively reasonable price – 40,000 riyals ($11,000) per kilogramme, he said. Qatari men in particular are keen to wear oud as it is considered a tradition, Hafedh said, while Qatari women prefer to wear other fragrances, such as oud oil, sandalwood, saffron essence, rosewater and jasmine. FRAGRANCE BLENDS ARE POPULAR Oud and oud oil top the list of Arabian fragrance blends, in which several scents are mixed together to produce a long-lasting and sweet smelling fragrance. These blends are popular in Qatar, with prices for one toula (12 grams) ranging between 8,000 and 15,000 riyals ($2,200 to $4,120). Well-known oud blends include al-Safa, al-Moulouk, al-Amira, al-Amir and al-Bidaya, with each offering a distinct fragrance. Qataris of both sexes are keen to buy these blends of oud, amber and musk, said Nashwan Numan, sales manager at Al-Jazeera Perfumes. “Eighty per cent of our customers are Qataris, followed by Gulf nationals and Arabs and then foreigners such as Europeans and other nationalities who prefer Arabic blends and oud oils,” Numan told Al-Shorfa. Oud is a long-standing tradition that Qataris hold on to no matter how expensive it gets, Qatari national Ali al-Marri, 35, told Al-Shorfa. “Since as far as I can remember, using oud is a trait that characterises Qataris”, al-Marri said. You are met with the fragrance of oud wherever you go in Qatar, he added, whether it is “a government building, a private company or a house”. Oud is offered to guests as a sign of hospitality and generosity, al-Marri said. “It is the best thing you can offer to guests”. Taylor Scott International
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