Aromas from around the world

AROMAS FROM ARO

U N D THE WORL

D “LEARN ABOUT THE TRADITIONAL TREASURES THAT MOST PEOPLE HAVE IN THIS CULTURE, BUT NOT THE TYPICAL TOUR GUIDE WAY”

BY MALAK GAROOT

ًَ ْ َ َ ‫ﺃﻫﻼ‬ ًَ َْ ‫ﻭﺳﻬﻼ‬

Welcome

Table of contents 1

Saudi Arabia on the map

3

Makka and Al Madina

5

Temperature, Language, Flag, Currency

7 Cardamom 9

Arabian coffee

11 Illustration 13 Meswak 15

Natural Toothbrush

17 Illustration 19 Awrgwood 21 Oudh 23 Illustration 25 Henna 27

Henna powder

29

Illustration

AROMAS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

For three centuries and more, books made with the young audience have served as indispensable gateways to literature, art, and knowledge of the world. And if, as adults, we find that our own childhood favorites remain as thrilling or funny or heart-stoppingly beautiful as ever, we should not be surprised. As W. H. Auden wisely observed: “There are no good books which are only for children.” Scratch-and-sniff stickers are one of those novelty technologies that sound like such a good idea... But they never really caught on except in children’s books and the occasional perfume strip in a magazine. Why shouldn’t nasal information be just as important audio and visual information? Perhaps because no one has figured out how to encode language in smells. Nonetheless, if you have kids, you probably have a scratch-and-sniff book around the house. And even if the book is 20 years old, it still works!

I believe that scented, and textured books are important to tell stories about the world to better understand our existence, the others and the universe we live in by encouraging children to use their scenes like seeing the colors, touching and feeling the patterns and smelling the pictures. All the books, including those addressed to children are, in fact, the result of our basic needs to live, to survive; they help children to grow up and develop a better understanding of the world around them. When I designed Smells From Around The World, I wanted to briefly capture the essence of a culture in. The challenge wasn’t the word count as much as it was deciding which cultural aspects to include and which to leave out. This book, filled with the most common scents and aromas from some countries, like Arabia.

THIS BOO NOT BE S FOR PEOP AN ALL

OK MIGHT SUITABLE PLE WITH LERGY

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

ْ ‫ﺍﻟﺴﻌﻮﺩﻳﺔ‬ ِّ ُ ّ ّْ‫ﺍﻟﻌﺮﺑﻴﺔ‬ َِ َ ‫ﺍﻟﻤﻤﻠﻜﺔ‬ ْ َ​َ ْ َ

Officially known as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is the largest Arab state in Western Asia by land area (approximately 2,150,000 km2 (830,000 sq. mi), constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula) and the second-largest in the Arab world (after Algeria). It is bordered by Jordan and Iraq to the north, Kuwait to the northeast, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates to the east, Oman to the southeast, Yemen in the south, the Red Sea to the west and Persian Gulf to the east. Its population is estimated to consist of 16 million citizens and an additional 9 million registered foreign expatriates and 2 million illegal immigrants.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was founded by Abdul-Aziz bin Saud (known for most of his career as Ibn Saud) in 1932, although the conquests which eventually led to the creation of the Kingdom began in 1902 when he captured Riyadh, the ancestral home of his family, the House of Saud, referred to in Arabic as Al Saud. The regime has been an absolute monarchy since its inception. It describes itself as being Islamic and is highly influenced by Wahhabism. Saudi Arabia is sometimes called “the Land of the Two Holy Mosques” in reference to Al-Masjid alHaram (in Mecca), and Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (in Medina), the two holiest places in Islam.

With world’s second largest oil reserves and world’s sixth largest natural gas reserves, the Kingdom is categorized as a high income economy with 19th highest GDP in the world. Being the world’s largest oil exporter is the basis for its position as one of the 20 most powerful countries in the world, it also ranked as a regional power and maintains regional hegemony in the Arabian peninsula. It is a member of Gulf Cooperation Council, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, G-20 major economies and OPEC. Its economy is largely backed by its oil industry, which accounts for more than 95% of exports and 70% of government revenue, although the share of the non-oil economy has been growing recently. This has facilitated the transformation of the underdeveloped desert kingdom into one of the world’s wealthiest nations, such as the creation of a welfare state.

Makkah

ْ‫ﺍﻟﻤﻜﺮّﻣ ـَـﺔ‬ َ ُ ْ‫ﻣَﻜّ ــﺔ‬

Makkah, known to the Muslim faithful as Umm al-Qura, the Mother of Cities, is the holiest place in the Islamic world. It was named the Holy Mosque, “Al-Masjid Al-Haram”, in Arabic, referring to the prohibition of killing inside the Holy Mosque since the conquest of Makkah by the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) and it is here within the Holy Ka’aba in the center of it. The Ka’aba was the first building on earth built by Ibrahim and Ishmael for humanity to worship Allah, and Muslims consider it the greatest and most sacred place in the world. It is the Qiblah, the place all Muslims direct their faces while praying, no matter where they are in the world. awaits the Muslim pilgrim. Throughout the world, wherever they may be, all devout Muslims pray five times per day, each time bowing down to face Makkah.

The Holy mosque contains many elements. Ka’aba’s Ismael corner, is a low wall that was originally part of the Ka’aba, is a semi-circular wall opposite but not connected to the northwest wall of the Ka’aba, Zamzam well, “The Station of Abraham”, the footprint of Ibrahim, Safa and Marwah, and the black stone “Al-Hajar Al-Aswad”.

Surrounding Area The sites of Islamic history in Makkah tell the history of a great civilization that has spread to most parts of the world. It is still vibrant, full of memories of the past and anticipation for the future. The towering mountains and distinctive valleys form the identity of Makkah AlMokarramah. When you visit the museums in Makkah, you will hear, see and even touch the history and stories of the past. Shopping in the Holy City is a unique and distinctive experience.

Shoppers can enjoy a variety of traditional and local markets as well as larger stores in shopping malls, each offering different products that supply Makkah as the annual destination for Muslims throughout the world. Visitors should also make a point of seeing the famous clock Tower of Makkah, which has become a central landmark in the Holy City of Makkah Al-Mokarramah.

Al Medina

ْ‫ـﻮﺭﺓ‬ َ ّ ‫ـﺪﻳﻨﺔ ْﺍﻟﻤﻨـَُـ‬ َ ِ َ‫ﺍﻟﻤـ ـ‬

Located in Hijaz, about 100 miles from the Red Sea and 215 miles north of Mecca, Medina is revered by Muslims as the prophet Muhammad’s destination after his emigration (hijra in Arabic) from Mecca in 622 c.e., and as the site of his tomb. Although it is not mandatory, many pilgrims to Mecca also visit Medina. The city became the southern terminus of the Ottomans’ Hijaz Railway upon its completion in 1908. The site of a major Ottoman garrison during World War I, Medina and the rest of Hijaz came under Hashimite rule after the empire’s defeat. The city’s high walls were the last refuge of the Hashimites, and Medina was the last city in Hijaz to fall to the attacking forces of Abd al-Aziz ibn Abd alRahman Al Sa’ud in 1926, after which many of the city’s historical monuments and tombs were destroyed because the conservative religious allies of Abd al-Aziz found them offensive Al Madinah is the administrative center of the province as well as the most important Islamic city. It is a city of peace and tranquility and a place of numerous historical and archaeological sites, including those that stood during many historical battles. Madinah is rich with cultural heritage, museums, vast date palm groves and traditional old markets that stand side-by-side with the most modern of shopping malls and arcades.

Surrounding areas Mada’en Saleh is a major historical site in Al-Madinah Province, with its ancient tombs and history of the earliest inhabitants. And, make sure to visit the nearby Hejaz Railway with its historic rail station, landmarks, buildings, and old trains.

Lightweights are worn in summer, Warmer clothes are needed in winter. Rain wear is only necessary during the monsoon in the areas along the west coast.

Be prepared for extreme heat in the inland areas-unprotected skin can be very dangerous.

Arabic is the official language of Saudi Arabia, but English is widely spoken. It is used in business and is a compulsory second language in schools.

Arabic is spoken by almost 200 million people in more than 22 countries.

“There is no god but God and Muhammad is the messenger of God�

The flag of Saudi Arabia is the flag used by the government of Saudi Arabia since March 15, 1973.

It is a green flag featuring in white an Arabic inscription and a sword that stands for the House of Saud, the founding dynasty of the country, or the military. Strength and prowess of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia uses the Saudi Arabian Riyal as its official, national currency. Each Riyal is then further divided into 100 halala. The currency is issued by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency and it comes in the form of both notes and coins.

TEMPERATURE

LANGUAGE

FLAG

CURRENCY

Cardamom

ْ‫ِﻫـﻴ ــﻞ‬ Hail

DID YOU KNOW?

• Cardamom has a very unique flavor and scent. It is heavy like black pepper, yet sweet like cinnamon or nutmeg, and has an almost camphor like effect on the nose.

• The early history of coffee is obscure, but the first mention of the drink dating from the beginning of the 16th century. Even the origin of the word itself is debated—in classical Arabic, People used to refer to Coffee as Arabian Wine. Arabians made wine from the pulp of the fermented coffee berries.

Coffee was considered the substitute beverage in spiritual practices where wine was forbidden. Our English word “coffee” ultimately derives from Qahwa by way of the Turkish kahve. But there is also the curious fact that the coffee plant is indigenous to only one part of the world—the highlands of Ethiopia, notably the area

Read about Cardamom Cardamom (or cardamon) refers to several plants of the similar genera Elettaria and Amomum in the ginger family Zingiberaceae. Both genera are native to India, Nepal and Bhutan; they are recognized by their small seed pods, triangular in cross-section and spindle-shaped, with a thin, papery, outer shell and small black seeds. It is the world’s third most expensive spice by weight, outstripped in market value only by saffron and vanilla.

The two main genera of the ginger family named as forms of cardamom are distributed as follows: • Elettaria (commonly called cardamom, green cardamom, or true cardamom) is distributed from India to Malaysia.

• Amomum (commonly known as black cardamom, brown cardamom, kravan, Java cardamom, Bengal cardamom, Siamese cardamom, white cardamom, or red cardamom) is distributed mainly in Asia and Australia.

In the Middle East, green cardamom powder is used as a spice for sweet dishes, as well as traditional flavouring in coffee and tea. Cardamom pods are ground together with coffee beans to produce a powdered mixture of the two, which is boiled with water to make coffee. Cardamom is used to some extent in savory dishes. In some Middle Eastern countries, coffee and cardamom are often ground in a wooden mortar, a mihbaj, and cooked together in a skillet, a mehmas, over wood or gas, to produce mixtures as much as 40% cardamom.

Saudi coffee, or ‘’Al-Qahwa’’ is made from coffee beans roasted very lightly or heavily from 165 °C (329 °F) to 210 °C (410 °F) and cardamom, and is a traditional beverage in Arabian culture.

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DID YOU KNOW? A thawb or thobe (Arabic: ALA-LC: thawb), dishdasha (dishd’shah), kandura ( kand’rah), or suriyah in Libya, is an ankle-length garment, usually with long sleeves, similar to a robe. It is commonly worn in Iraq and Arab countries bordering the Persian Gulf. An izaar is typically donned underneath.

‫‪ Sewak‬‬

‫ـﻮﺍﻙْ‬ ‫ِﺳـ ـ َ‬

DID YOU KNOW? Miswak “Siwak”, or “Salvadora persica“ has is a twig that is actually a root extracted from the Arak tree. It’s been used as a toothbrush since ancient history and its health benefits are undeniably amazing.

• Miswak Whitens our teeth, fights germs and bacteria and also removes bad odors.

• Miswak can also be processed to create toothpaste and toothbrushes, but that simple twig can be used as it is most of the time.

• There is nothing significant about its smell, some people find it soothing and others don’t like it...

Read about Meswak The miswak (miswaak, siwak, sewak) Is a teeth cleaning twig made from a twig of the Salvadora persica tree (known as Arak in Arabic). A traditional alternative to the modern toothbrush, it has a long, well-documented history and is reputed for its medicinal benefits. It also features prominently in Islamic hygienical jurisprudence.

The miswak is predominant in Muslim-inhabited areas. The stick’s use has spread from the Middle East to South and Southeast Asia, where it is known as Kayu Sugi (Malay for ‘chewing stick’). It is often mentioned that the Islamic Prophet Muhammad recommended its use. He is quoted in various Hadith extolling the twig’s virtues: “Were it not that I might over-burden the Believers I would have ordered them to use Siwak (Miswak) at the time of every Prayer.”

“Make a regular practice of Miswak for verily it is the purification for the mouth and a means of the pleasure of the Lord.”

A miswak should be one hand span in length when selected. If it becomes dry, it should be soaked in rose water to soften the end bristles. The end should be cut to ensure hygiene and should never be stored near a toilet or sink. The brush may be created by cutting Salvadora persica’s branches instead of its roots; keeping in mind that the tree’s roots can retain humidity more so than its branches. This favors more long-term usage.

There is also a toothpaste made from miswak extract that can be purchased in the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe and North America. Use of toothpastes featuring benefits of miswak is, however, not a true alternate practice of using miswak in its original shape and in the masnoon way. Some companies, such as Al Khair and AL Falah, have also taken the initiative to process and preserve miswak in vacuum bags. This has the effect of increasing the twig’s shelf life to a period of over six months.

I wonder if they would make Miswak with strawberry flavor someday?

But still, I love using Because it keeps my healthy.

g Miswak mouth

If Miswak makes my teeth white like pearls..Would they become as clear as water if I brush all day long?

Argwood

ْ‫ﻋﻮﺩﺓ‬ َ ُ

Oudah

DID YOU KNOW? Oud (in Arabian ‘oudh’), or “Agarwood” is highly valued by perfumers for its sweet, woody, aromatic and complex scent. It is used in forms of oud oil (dehn al oud) or raisin (oud mubakhar).

The oil of oud, whether extracted by distillation from wood, or by melting the raisin, is non-irritating and can be applied directly on the skin, or added in a perfume composition, most often as a base note.

Not only that, but Agarwood has been proven to be calming for the body, removes destructive and negative energies, provides enhanced awareness, reduces fear, invokes a feeling of vigour and harmony, and enhances mental functionality.

Read about Argwood Agarwood, also known as oud, oodh or agar, is a dark resinous heartwood that forms in Aquilaria and Gyrinops trees (large evergreens native to southeast Asia) when they become infected with a type of mould. Prior to infection, the heartwood is relatively light and pale colored; however, as the infection progresses, the tree produces a dark aromatic resin in response to the attack, which results in a very dense, dark, resin embedded heartwood.

The resin embedded wood is commonly called gaharu, jinko, aloes wood, agarwood, or oud (not to be confused with ‘Bakhoor’) and is valued in many cultures for its distinctive fragrance, and thus is used for incense and perfumes.

The Holy Prophet made known that agarwood is a distinct item of Paradise in his saying, “The first group of people who will enter Paradise, will be glittering like the full moon and those who will follow them, will glitter like the most brilliant star in the sky. They will not urinate, relieve nature, spit, or have any nasal secretions. Their combs will be of gold, and their sweat will smell like musk. The aloes-wood will be used in their centers..”. The Messenger of God also revealed the numerous healing properties of agarwood, which in the particular saying, referred to Hindi Oud and its effectiveness in treating pleurisy.

The Song of Songs describes King Solomon (peace be upon him) as “coming up from the desert like a column of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and incense” and there are numerous references throughout this book of the Old Testament to “every kind of incense tree” which popular belief denotes to Oud. The bible mentioned several citations of Oud, including a text in which Jesus (peace be upon him) is said to have been perfumed with aloes (Oud).

Furthermore, the extremely wealthy ancient Chinese used to make their coffins out of this aloeswood. One story tells of a monk’s sacrificing spirit in which he grinds one of his agarwood beads into powder whenever he met the sick in order to cure them with it, which resulted with even the seriously stricken person getting well.

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There is a unique chemistry between the skin and oud. Apply the oil just below your outer wrist, then smear it onto your neck.

Remember to keep a sheen remaining so don’t rub too hard!

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‫‪ Henna‬‬

‫ِﺣـ ـﻨّـﺔْ‬

•

DID YOU KNOW? Henna is a plant best known for its use to color and condition the hair and skin naturally. The henna plant grows in warm climates.

The leaves from the plant are crushed and make into a paste to safely draw a design directly on the skin.

The result of this temporary tattoo, traditionally reddish brown in color, will last any where from a few days to several weeks.

The application process is painless as it’s applied on the skin with an applicator •(the traditional cone or plastic bag) and in no way harms the skin.

Read about Henna The name henna also refers to the dye prepared from the plant and the art of temporary tattooing based on those dyes. Henna has been used since antiquity to dye skin, hair, and fingernails, as well as fabrics including silk, wool, and leather. The name is used in other skin and hair dyes, such as black henna and neutral henna, neither of which are derived from the henna plant.

The different words for henna in ancient languages imply that it had more than one point of discovery and origin, as well as different pathways of daily and ceremonial use. Henna has been used to adorn young women’s bodies as part of social and holiday celebrations since the late Bronze Age in the eastern Mediterranean. The earliest text mentioning henna in the context of marriage and fertility celebrations comes from the Ugaritic legend of Baal and Anath, which has references to women marking themselves with henna in preparation to meet their husbands, and Anath adorning herself with henna to celebrate a victory over the enemies of Baal.

Wall paintings excavated at Akrotiri (dating prior to the eruption of Thera in 1680 BCE) show women with markings consistent with henna on their nails, palms and soles, in a tableau consistent with the henna bridal description from Ugarit. Many statuettes of young women dating between 1500 and 500 BCE along the Mediterranean coastline have raised hands with markings consistent with henna. This early connection between young, fertile women and henna seems to be the origin of the Night of the Henna, which is now celebrated worldwide.

The Night of the Henna was celebrated by most groups in the areas where henna grew naturally: Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, Christians and Zoroastrians, among others, all celebrated marriages by adorning the bride, and often the groom, with henna. Across the henna-growing region, Purim, Eid, Diwali, Karva Chauth, Passover, Nowruz, Mawlid, and most saints’ days were celebrated with some henna. Battle victories, births, circumcision, birthdays, as well as weddings, usually included some henna as part of the celebration.

References Saudi Arabia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_Arabia Saudi Arabia”. American Bedu. Retrieved 2 November 2011.

Focus on Islamic Issues – Page 23, Cofie D. Malbouisson – 2007 James Wynbrandt (2004). A Brief History of Saudi Arabia. Infobase Publishing. pp. 242. ISBN 978-1-4381-0830-8.

Soldatkin, Vladimir; Astrasheuskaya, Nastassia (9 November 2011).

“Saudi Arabia to overtake Russia as top oil producer-IEA”. Reuters. Retrieved 10 November 2011.

The erosion of Saudi Arabia’s image among its neighbours.

“The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia – A Welfare State”. Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, London.

Retrieved 1 May 2010.

http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/saudi-arabia-country-profile.html http://www.currencyconverter.co.uk/currencies/saudi-arabia-riyal090326160630 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Saudi_Arabia http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Mecca.aspx Campo, Juan E. (2009). Encyclopedia of Islam. p. 244. ISBN 978-0816077458. Retrieved 3 October 2012.

Eriksen, Thomas; Jenkins, Richard (2007). Flag, Nation and Symbolism in Europe and America. p. 171.

Retrieved 3 October 2012.

http://sauditourism.sa/en/Explore/Regions/Mecca/Mecca/Pages/default.aspx http://sauditourism.sa/en/Explore/Regions/Medina/Medina/Pages/default.aspx http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thawb Cardamom http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardamom http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabic_coffee#cite_ref-bkgrd_1-2 http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/197305/wine.in.arabia.1.htm Miswak IslamKotob, Muslims and Science, (Islamic Books), p.30.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miswak Agarwood (Ouda) http://www.sultanuloud.com/pages/world-of-oud-and-its-uses Hadith - Sahih Bukhari 4:468, Narrated Abu Huraira Song of Solomon 3:6, Solomon’s Wedding Day. Henna http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henna http://wiki.bme.com/index.php?title=Henna

Copyright © 2013 by Malak Garoot

‫ﺍﻟﺴﻼﻣﺔْ‬ ‫ﻣﻊ ّ َ َ‬ ‫َْ‬

‫‪Goodbye‬‬