THE FRANKINCENSE PROJECT
On December 2, 2000, UNESCO and the Sultanate of Oman signed a convention placing the Land of Frankincense – comprising four iconic sites in the Dhofar region – on the World Heritage List. For thousands of years, the precious resin has played a central role in the development of civilizations, sea routes, international trade and, of course, the history of perfumery.
One of the four listed sites is Wadi Dawkah, a 1,500-hectare valley that is home to almost 5,000 frankincense trees (Boswellia sacra). The trees have always been protected, but barely ever tapped.
An ambitious project is now up and running, driven by the Omani government and Renaud Salmon, Chief Creative Officer at the perfume house Amouage, with support from perfumery ingredient sourcer Dominique Roques. The new project centers on three key goals: to safeguard and develop frankincense tree cultivation in this unspoiled area; to build a high-quality industry for Omani frankincense essential oil; and to share this ancient cultivation tradition as widely as possible via a visitor center where people can learn about the natural environment, local heritage, extraction process and fragrance creation. The Nez editorial team is pleased to provide you with the opportunity to follow each stage of this extraordinary project in real time. Over the next three years, plunge into the heart of the Land of Frankincense and Omani olfactory culture with fascinating content that gives you the chance to meet the remarkable people involved in this high-profile project.*
Mathieu Chévara, Publishing and Creative Director
*Podcasts, articles, videos and a series of reports produced by Nez in collaboration with Amouage.
While frankincense has always been part of the changing face of fragrances, it has taken on a new role in the modern perfumery landscape. Its journey reflects both a shift in aesthetics and a change in perspective. An age-old material that has become one of the most relevant voices in contemporary niche perfumery.
