Flowers: Language of romance [Archives:2005/902/Last Page]

Mohammed Al-Jabri

“O flowers of April on the cheeks of lasses,” said Abu-Nasser asking the day of Arabian jasmine.

Flowers for flowers is sovereignty,

Flowers have possessed all meanings.

“Mine are art and refinement, my ecstasy when night falls,” replied Arbian jasmine

These are the words of Mohammed Murshid Naji’s famous song, Arabian jasmine and flowers.

The future of flowers in Yemen is prosperous because new generations now cultivate romantic outlook, females are more interested in buying flowers than males.

There used to be no flower stores in Sana’a city until the beginning of 1990. By that

time the first flower shop was opened, and people came to know a new style of life. Very few people visited the shop to buy flowers or some beautification plants, although prices were very low. Most flower customers were said to be foreigners.

Few years later, life styles began to change and more flower shops opened throughout. People began to admire flowers and use them on many occasions.

But before the coming of flower shops, people used to use sweet basil (Raihan). It was very common, especially in countryside, and people used it on many occasions like marriage ceremonies, childbirth, etc. old people like this kind of plant most. They have their own ways to use it. They like to put on sweet basil shrubs around their heads and some others like to put them inside their pockets with the top part protruding. They say basil shrubs give them a distinct appearance and a fragrant smell. On Fridays, some people like to distribute sweet basil among those who attend the Friday prayer. Likewise, women like to use sweet basil especially for childbirth occasions. When a woman gives birth to a child, she receives some basil shrubs. It happens that basil shrubs are put in vases and then put around her. That makes her room a special scene as other women visit her.

But nowadays sweet basil is not much used as flowers and Arabian jasmine flourished Yemeni markets. Only aged people prefer to have sweet basil shrubs. Some people like to use sweet basil to trim their houses. They plant them in tins and put them over the roofs of their houses or on the windows to create a special appearance and a distinct taste.

Now people began to turn to flowers and Arabic Jasmine as new flower shops opened. Even in streets, there are some young men who sell Arabian jasmine wreaths. Dr. Abdul-Moamen Shuja’ Addin, counselor of Al-Murooj Al-Khadra plant nursery, said most of the customers who buy flowers are cultured, educated people.

He pointed out that earlier, people were not interested in flowers but now they improved their tastes for flowers.

Occasions

People like to buy flowers on certain occasions like marriage ceremonies, engagements, graduation ceremonies, visiting patients, etc. Here in Yemen people use flowers for specific occasions. When visiting a patient, people very rarely offer patients a flower bouquet. Instead, they buy some fruits or canned juice. The reason behind this may be the absence of flower sales stalls near hospitals. Ms. Salwa, a hospital nurse, says people are used to bringing fruits to their patients. Flowers create serenity and tranquility atmosphere for patients, commented the nurse.

On marriage occasions, females prefer to use different kinds of flowers, while men prefer Arabian jasmine. Usually Arabian jasmine wreaths are given to the bridegroom and put around his neck. The bride receives flower garlands and Arabian jasmine.

But it is not common to bring flowers on engagement occasions. When a young man proposes a girl, he does not usually bring her flower garlands or something of this sort.

During graduation ceremonies, students very often buy wreaths of flowers and Arabian jasmine, but in most cases flowers are used more than Arabian jasmine.

Perhaps that is because flowers come in different colors and can be formed in different styles, while Arabian jasmine has one color which is white. In addition, flowers are cheaper than Arabian jasmine. A wreath of Arabian jasmine may cost 700 rials and some others, which are well trimmed, may cost 1500 rials. But the price of a flower bouquet may be 200 rials or so. During the graduation ceremonies, Arabian jasmine is scattered over the students. Female students are interested in flowers more than Arabian jasmine. Sometimes, a prize is given to students along with a flower. Even some students are granted some Arabian jasmine wreaths as rewards.

Lovers and flowers

At present, young men become very interested in some occasions, which were not common before in Yemen such as Valentine Day. Like Western societies, Young people like to prepare for this day, especially by buying flowers. Dr. Abdul-Moamen says many, many people do visit flower shops as Valentine Day approaches. Even some people book some flower garlands for the occasion. Most of the customers are females. This means that young people began to explore the meanings flowers and their importance.

Sana’a city is said to have most flower shops than other governorates. There are some plant nurseries that plant different kinds of flowers. There are more than five kinds of flowers in Yemen, some of which are: Rose, Gerbera, Gladiolus, Lilum and Strelitzia reginae (Bird of Paradise). There are other types but they are imported form other countries. The prices of flowers range from 20 – 50 rials. In winters, flowers and Arabian jasmine become very expensive. Some experts attribute the reason to the lack of protecting houses for plants and also the scarce of underground water. But in spite of this, flower planting is increasing as different kinds of flowers are on demand.

Flowers have inspired many poets and become a melody transferring from generation to generation. They have been used as a sign of admiration, and a lover would compare his beloved to a ” red, red rose”. Many Arabic poets wrote about flower, Arabian jasmine and sweet basil. And this is evident in some songs.

Umm Kolthoum, in her famous song, says:

Flowers are beautiful and bear

Eagerness on their leaves.

Look at roses to learn

How to speak among lovers.