Here’s a detailed module section for The Rise of the “Incense Roads” — from Assam to Arabia, suitable for your Oud Cultural Studies or Oud Heritage & Trade History Course in Oud Academia:
Duration: 1 Day
Overview:
Agarwood, along with frankincense and other aromatic resins, was a highly prized commodity in ancient trade networks. This module explores the Incense Roads, the historic trade routes connecting India, Southeast Asia, and Arabia, highlighting how Agarwood shaped commerce, culture, and diplomacy for millennia.
Topics Covered
- Origins in Assam and Northeast India
- Agarwood production in Assam, Meghalaya, and surrounding regions.
- Early local uses: medicinal, religious, and artisanal applications.
- Development of regional trade networks connecting India to Southeast Asia and beyond.
- Maritime Routes to Southeast Asia
- Trade expansion via the Bay of Bengal and Malacca Strait.
- Exchange with Malay, Thai, and Indonesian kingdoms.
- Integration with other luxury goods: spices, silk, and precious woods.
- Overland Incense Routes to Arabia
- Caravan routes linking India, Myanmar, and the Arabian Peninsula.
- Key trading hubs: Oman, Yemen, and the Persian Gulf cities.
- Role of Agarwood in royal courts, mosques, and luxury markets in Arabia.
- Economic and Cultural Impact
- Agarwood as a driver of wealth, diplomacy, and cultural exchange.
- Influence on perfume traditions, incense rituals, and artisanal craftsmanship.
- Cross-cultural interactions along trade corridors shaping religion, art, and material culture.
- Legacy of the Incense Roads
- Continuity of Agarwood trade practices in modern Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
- How ancient routes inform current global Oud supply chains.
- Cultural memory and branding opportunities linked to historical trade heritage.
Outcome:
Participants will:
- Understand the historical trade routes of Agarwood from Assam to Arabia.
- Appreciate its role in cross-cultural exchange, religious practices, and luxury commerce.
- Recognize how ancient trade networks influence contemporary Oud markets, artisanal traditions, and luxury branding.