Ghawali: A Journey Back to the Roots of Perfume

Is there ever a time when you touch your favourite perfume and wonder about its roots, where the idea of scent all started? Well, the trail takes us to the vibrant heart of the Middle East, where the delicate balance of flora and fauna creates a tapestry of captivating scents. In this rich landscape, Ghawali emerges, a brand that pays homage to this heritage by weaving together the essence of the region in every fragrance, bringing notes we know and also new ones to the bottled elixirs. Join us as we explore how Ghawali is bringing perfume back home, celebrating the beauty and history of its origins. Find out more at Ghawali: A Journey Back to the Roots of Perfume.

The image on left-hand side,  Samantha Inman @rememberingtobreathe.

Once upon a time, aromatic oils and fragrances were found by archaeologists in ancient lands such as ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus Valley civilization as well as Ancient China and India. Over time it was further refined by the Romans and the Middle Eastern communities, and from there spread around the globe. This was the beginning of what we understand today as modern perfumery.

‘and you shall make incense of it, a perfume after the art of the perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy’

Exodus 30:35

Interestingly perfumed scent is mentioned in many biblical texts as a way to communicate with the ‘heavens’. Today, we often look to France, specifically Grasse on the French Riviera, as the heart of perfumery. But before the rise of French perfumery, there was another world where scent reigned supreme, the Middle East.

The history of perfumery is deeply rooted in this region. One of the first recorded chemists was a woman named Tapputi, a perfume maker in Mesopotamia, distilling flowers, oils, and aromatics as early as the 2nd millennium BC.

In the 5th century, the Arab world saw the invention of the alembic, and the distillation process was perfected there under the influence of alchemists who developed techniques for extracting essential oils from plants.

These techniques transformed the art of creating fragrances, making their way through Europe with the help of 13th-century Florentine monks, and eventually turning Grasse, France, into the heart of perfumery by the 18th century.

The expansion has brought us many ingredients we have not used for many years, and new extraction processes allow for better and more unusual ingredients.

One ingredient that blew up was Oud, also known as Agarwood, a rare and precious resinous wood traditionally used in the Middle East not just within perfume but to fragrance homes and clothes. Many households would burn Oud, or Bakhoor, to create a warm, welcoming scent for guests.

An image from Hafizmuar at English Wikipedia, 1st grade agarwood

Once the wider world of scent-makers discovered it, relatively recently, Oud became the “it” ingredient, symbolising luxury and opulence. It was as if the world of perfumery had returned to its roots, embracing a centuries-old tradition that had been somewhat forgotten in the West.

Oud is rare and costly, a mark of luxury that people seek out to set themselves apart. Whether it’s burned in its raw form or distilled into a musky, leathery oil, Oud creates perfumes that are bold, powerful, and impossible to forget.

But Middle Eastern perfumery is about so much more than just Oud. This region, known for its scorching heat, is also blessed with fertile lands that produce some of the most fragrant and beautiful ingredients on earth.

It’s here that aromatic resins like Myrrh and Frankincense are harvested, their warm, spicy notes adding depth to countless perfumes. From the ambergris that drifts ashore along the Arabian Peninsula to the Damask rose blooming high in the Hajar mountains, at a dizzying altitude of 2,000 meters, this is a land rich in nature’s gifts.

A picture from Riyadh Al Balushi, Frankincense Trees in Dhofar.

The spices and herbs that are staples in the region’s cuisine like Cinnamon, Saffron, Coriander, and Sage, also find their way into perfumes, lending their vibrant, intense aromas to create fragrances that are layered, complex, and unforgettable. Flowers like Jasmine and Orange blossom add a fresh, delicate touch, balancing out the darker, earthier notes.

Wood, flowers, spices, and resins, all these ingredients come together to form the heart of Middle Eastern perfumery, each with its own story to tell. In this region, fragrance is woven into the culture, a way to express who you are and how you connect with the world around you. The love of scent runs deep here, intertwined with rituals, celebrations, and everyday life. It’s about family, about heritage, about creating memories that last a lifetime.

By tracing the origins of perfumery, we uncovered its deep roots in the Middle East, particularly in Mesopotamia, the cradle of civilisation. Today, we’re witnessing a full-circle moment.

Ghawali, a brand deeply connected to the region, is bringing perfumery back home. With a sense of pride and purpose, Ghawali is celebrating the rich flora and fauna of the Middle East, paying tribute to the land where it all began.

Ghawali, founded in 2016 in the UAE, offers a luxurious fragrance experience rooted in the rich traditions of the Middle East. Known for its opulent scents, Ghawali combines the art of Arabic perfumery with a modern touch, crafting unique, long-lasting fragrances that evoke a sense of elegance and sophistication.

Rooted in heritage, the brand’s name, “Ghawali,” stems from the Arabic word “Ghalia,” which was used to describe the precious and expensive scents brought to the region by travelling merchants, often reserved for royalty. This sense of luxury is woven into everything Ghawali does, from its use of exquisite ingredients to its dedication to creating a multi-sensory experience through its fragrances.

Each product in the Ghawali collection is designed for the Middle Eastern ritual of layering. From the Purifying Shower Gel to the final spritz of perfume, the layering ritual allows the fragrances to build on one another, creating an enveloping, long-lasting scent that lingers on the skin. This practice, deeply ingrained in Middle Eastern culture, makes each step in the ritual a moment of sensory indulgence.

Whether you are drawn to the warmth of Oud, the richness of Amber, or the freshness of floral accords, Ghawali offers a diverse selection of perfumes that cater to every preference and occasion. Each fragrance promises to be a signature scent, leaving a lasting impression with its depth and richness, blending tradition and modernity in every bottle.

One of Ghawali’s most captivating fragrances, Midnight Noise, is a captivating fragrance that invites you into its world with a lively burst of Bergamot, Water, Apple, Pear, and Nectarine. These top notes offer a refreshing, fruity start, setting the stage for a heart of delicate florals.

As you’re drawn in, the scent reveals layers of Jasmine, Magnolia, Rose, and Violet, each note adding depth and richness. Finally, the base notes, Patchouli, Musk, Tonka, Vetiver, and woody accords, create a lasting, comforting warmth that lingers beautifully on the skin, like a cherished memory.

Azal is another standout perfume, that takes you on a different journey. Its story begins with the exotic spice of Cardamom, leading you into a heart where Patchouli, Saffron, and Cedarwood blend seamlessly.

The base is where the fragrance truly shines, with a rich combination of Oud, Vanilla, and sweet Praline, creating a scent that feels both grounded and luxurious. Each spritz feels like a nod to the Middle East’s fragrance heritage, offering a scent experience that is as bold as it is refined.

Then, there are fragrances like Untold and Nomadic Dreams, which reflect the region’s elegance and depth, weaving together Wood, Amber, Cacao, and Saffron.

Ghawali is a heartfelt journey back to the roots of perfumery, reminding us of the deep connections we share with the land and its rich tradition.

Through its carefully crafted collections, Ghawali invites us to embark on a sensory journey, where each fragrance tells a story of the land it comes from. Isn’t it amazing to think that each bottle takes us back to the true ‘home’ of perfume, connecting us to its rich heritage; a blend of old-world craftsmanship and modern elegance.

To read more and explore Ghawali’s perfumes, visit selfridges.com

If you enjoyed reading Ghawali: A Journey Back to the Roots of Perfume why not try Dior, The House It’s DNA, Sealed and Scented

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