The marvelous smell of frankincense

The marvelous smell of frankincense is one of the reasons to visit Oman. Frankincense, particularly Loban, was and still is considered a very valuable present in Oman. Indeed, the Sultans of Oman used to send beautifully painted boxes of frankincense to Egyptian queens, Roman kings, and other royals around the world. Aside from its wonderful aroma, it is said to have cured several diseases in the past due to its purifying power. Like emeralds set apart on a drab necklace, frankincense trees jam the wadis that branch off into the deserts north of Salalah in Oman's southern Dhofar area. Wadi Dawka, the most magnificent of these oasis, is part of Oman's UNESCO World Heritage-listed Land of Frankincense.

Oman is now permeated with frankincense. Every aspect of government buildings, including elevators, is scrutinized on a daily basis. At home, Omanis perform their courtly hospitality ceremonies—the smooth pouring of coffee, the exquisite presentation of dates and sweets—in a frankincense-scented atmosphere. In important public sites, large incense burners smolder: brazier-sized ones flank the entrance to the Sultan's palace outside Muscat. And truly massive incense burner sculptures can be found at metropolitan traffic circles, where they frequently serve as fountains.