Arabian Perfumes

By Wafaa' Al-Natheema


Since my boycott of western/American products in 2001, I have been enjoying the use of Arabian oil perfumes tremendously. They are in many cases more delicious, long lasting (because of their oily textures), more affordable and elegantly packaged than many of the western popular brands. Unlike the common spray perfumes and colognes, oil perfumes also have no health hazards.

If you know someone in Saudi Arabia and/or the United Arab Emirates (UAE) or if you plan to visit any of these countries, make sure to buy some of these precious perfumes. They make excellent gifts. Both Gulf countries produce an exquisite array of oil perfume variety.

The few Saudi brands I 've been using are Warda, Jathibiyya, Tayf, Alwazir and Al-Haramayn. The latter I use occasionally because it has a strong fragrance of which three or four drops are sufficient and suitable for a cold winter weather. The other brands are not only delicious, but relaxing.

Once in a gathering, an American woman whom I've met for the first time inquired about the perfume I put on with an admiration look on her face while inhaling the fragrance. It was the Saudi oil perfume Jathibiyya, which means 'attraction'. She had no idea that Saudi Arabia produces perfumes. Of course she was not the only person to inquire about these elegant fragrances whenever I use any of them.

Personally I am very interested in exploring the history of perfume making in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other Arabian-Persian Gulf States. I hope to reach as many Arab experts in this field as well as companies that produce these delicious perfumes to educate the public about the history of perfume making, perfumes' brands, styles and cost as well as the stories accompanying them. I also wish to make some of the Arabian oil perfumes available to communities in the USA.

To contact me for information regarding Arabian Perfumes or companies making them, please email me at aboutfromiraq@yahoo.com WITH MANY THANKS.