The waft of ittars and oudh lingers

Thousands of sweet smelling fragrances beckon as you walk through the narrow lanes. While walking from shop to shop, you can savour the stimulating scents and at the same time watch people bargain over their purchases.

Models and designers at the official launch of the Bride Show Abu Dhabi 2011 recently at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi. — KT photo by Shoaib Anwer

Arabic perfumes are strong and the scent lingers. This lingering trail leaves a mark and remains fresh in your memory. And that is the specialty of the fragrances at the Dubai perfume souq located on the Sikkat Al Khail Street in Deira.

The piquant aromas are seductive and alluring. You will not just find traditional Arabian ittar, but also branded and designer perfumes from around the world.

Dehnee Trading has been in the perfume souq for 20 years. “We sell our own brands of local perfumes,” said Ikram Ahmed, a salesman at the shop. “Our factory is located in Rashidiya. Continental Arabic perfumes such as oudh, natural oils and ittar sell 
the most.”

He added that 80 per cent of his customers are GCC nationals and that the perfume souq is a great place for doing business. “This place is the heart of Dubai. This is where the old souk begins, so it attracts a lot of 
people.”

Every kind of perfume imaginable is available at the souq. Around 20 small-scale perfumeries and brands are dotted around the streets here. These sell a range of international brands along with heavy exotic scents like jasmine, oudh, amber and rose.

The latter usually come in chintzy little glass bottles which are collectibles in their own right. Be it a butterfly shaped with coloured studs or an Arabian lamp, it is a desired commodity.

Ajmal perfumes has two branches in the souk. Mudasir Nazir, the salesman said, “This branch opened in the souq 12 years ago and has been really good for business.” He said they sell Arabic fragrances such as oudh and French fragrances in both oil and sprays. “Our bestsellers are Dahn Oudh Al Shams spray and 1001 Nights oil,” he said. The shops clientele include Emiratis whose prefer oudh, and Africans and other expats who buy the French perfumes.

If you think that none of the fragrances suit you, then you can ask the shop owners to create an all-new scent that will suit you beautifully. The custom made aromas are mixed taking into account your skin as well as personality type. Bin Fares Commercial agencies, has been in the souq for 26 years. Mohammed Usman, the salesman shares his views about the souq. He said, “Business has been affected because of shopping malls. We sell the same authentic branded perfumes as in malls, but at a reduced price. But the perception is that we sell fakes, which is a wrong 
assumption”.

The shop sells Arab fragrances, branded perfumes and bakhoors (incense). The bakhoors come from Cambodia, India and Malaysia.

Also, if you are looking to get a tailor-made perfume, this is the place that does it in a span of five minutes. Perfumers can be seen showing different oils to customers and making the unique concoction. Perfume prices vary from being very affordable to a one-off purchase. “The perfumes we make in stores costs Dh40 to Dh50 depending on the oils chosen,” 
Usman said.

“The roll on costs Dh12, the ittar in small bottles cost anything between Dh35 to Dh1,000. A Malaysian bakhoor costs Dh15,000.”

Sami Abarreageab, a Kuwaiti national, has been a regular customer at the shop since 15 years and buys one particular perfume.

“This tradition was started by my mother-in-law who used to buy this fragrance every time she was in town,” said Abarreageab. “Now when I come once a year, I take a stock back home. I also get requests from friends to get a bottle for them. This is a great fragrance that remains fresh for two days.” His purchase is a blood red strong fragrance, which is a mixture of oils and is called Khalta Kumat. He added that the tradition of trading between Dubai and Kuwait has been on since the Dhow days.

At the souk you can breathe in the aromatic creations and imbibe within you their cultural significances. It’s not just a perfume, it’s your personality that is wafting in the air.

news@khaleejtimes.com