By: Nadia Al-Sakkaf There is almost no traditional Yemeni song that does not mention kathi
in association with love and courting. Known as ‘kathi’ which is a
variation of the Arabic word for fragrance, this plant is used by both
men and women in Yemen.
“I don’t really use it much, but both my mother and father enjoy it. My
mom puts it under her ear and my father tucks it into his turban,
especially on Fridays when he goes to the prayer. When I was a child I
used to ask him how come he wears the flower like girls and he would say
God is beautiful and loves beautiful things,” said Saif Abdulkhaleq, a
26 year old from Taiz.
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