Amouage, a luxury perfume house based in Oman, is gearing up for the first frankincense harvest at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Wadi Dawkah.
The company is committed to investing in the local workforce at Wadi Dawkah in the Southern Governorate of Dhofar.
The frankincense trees of Wadi Dawkah, the remains of the caravan oasis of Shisr/Wubar, and the affiliated ports of Khor Rori and Al-Baleed vividly illustrate the trade in frankincense that flourished in this region for many centuries as one of the most important trading activities of the ancient and medieval world.
Amouage has already employed several Dhofari locals, including a Wadi Dawkah foreman and several young Omanis from the community, to continue the legacy of harvesting the frankincense. Their goal is to promote meaningful job creation, transmit know-how, certify skills, and connect the community with its ancient cultural heritage, aligning with the central objectives of Oman Vision 2040.
Two of the new generation of frankincense harvesters are following in the footsteps of their grandfathers, both of whom harvested Frankincense in the 1960s.
The project also involves three Omani elders from Waliyat of Thumrait, who were previously involved in frankincense cultivation.
In 2022, Amouage partnered with the Oman Heritage and Tourism Ministry with the aim of expanding the unique resin derived from the Boswellia Sacra trees that have grown at Wadi Dawkah for centuries. This ingredient plays a vital role in many of its fragrances. Once completed, the site will feature a visitors’ center and serve as an educational and tourism hub.