Times have changed. No longer do people depend on camel caravans to enjoy the mist, rain and greenery of Oman's southern region.
Now, all routes air, sea as well as land, lead to Dhofar, known as the Land of Frankincense.
The lure of frankincense has remained unchanged for centuries and Dhofar has the rare distinction of getting its frankincense site inscribed on the World Heritage List.
For visitors during the Khareef Festival, the Frankincense Souq in Al Haffah is a must.
The frankincense trade has flourished for centuries in Dhofar. Its trees, which originated in the Dhofar valley were of great economic importance to ancient leaders such as the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon.
Recent evidence also shows that frankincense was exported to China during the Ming Dynasty.
Hassan Al Jabri, from the office of His Majesty the Sultan's Cultural Adviser, told Gulf News: "The frankincense trees of Wadi Oawkah and the remains of the caravan oasis of Shisr/Wubar and the ports of Khor Rori and Al Baleed vividly illustrate the trade in frankincense that flourished in this region for many centuries and was one of the most important trading activities of the ancient and medieval world."
Citing historical evidence, he also pointed out that Dhofar was visited by Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, as well as several renowned historians and travellers, including Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta.
"It has been well established through archaeological and historical sources that a wealthy trading relationship developed between Dhofar and other ancient civilisations, both overland and by sea," Al Jabri added.
For centuries, Dhofar was known as the area where the best types of frankincense was, and still is, produced - from the locally called tree megerot (Boswellia sacra Flueck).
The mysteries and myths that surround frankincense came from its immense worth as a trading commodity, and during the Roman Empire its value was on par with gold.
It was used in religious rituals in temples and churches, was believed to expel evil spirits and was used for medicinal, cosmetic and many other purposes because of its unique properties.
Frankincense trees produce various qualities of resin depending on the climate and environmental conditions in which they grow.
"Their preferred habitat is in the high arid area behind the Monsoon Mountains of Dhofar within the reach of the cooling winds which blow during the wet season, and a stony soil rich in limestone," said Al Jabri.
According to him, there are four different qualities of frankincense.
The finest type is known as Al Hojari, which is harvested during the hottest season; Annajdi produced in the months following the monsoon; Ashazri, from the first cuts of the season; and finally Asha'bi also known as Assahili which is harvested during the coldest season of the year.
Frankincense was once a major source of income for Oman, but in recent times its prices has dropped to its lowest level.
According to an official at the agriculture ministry in Salalah, uncontrolled harvesting is flooding the market with frankincense.
"Now big volumes of frankincense are flooding the market, thus the prices are falling," added the official, who preferred not to be identified.
It is still used in Oman as a mosquito repellent and as a treatment for epidemics and poisoning.
It is also used to purify the air, cleanse drinking water, and cure gum and tooth problems.
Gulf News
