Aleppo Soap is so old and culturally significant that UNESCO has listed it as a piece of “intangible cultural heritage,” with only 15 soap-making families left in Aleppo after the war, can Syria keep this 3000 year tradition alive?
Stretching back to more than 8,000 years, Syria’s largest city of Aleppo is renowned for a variety of culturally rich symbols, such as its ancient citadel, bustling bazaar, cherry kebab dish and even the iconic singer Sabah Fakhri, who was born there. Beyond this, remains Aleppo’s artisanal soap that was once described as “green gold”. Considered the oldest in the world, the Aleppo soap was recently inscribed on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage – a major acknowledgment welcomed by Syrian factory owners and entrepreneurs to protect it. Also known as ‘laurel soap’ or ‘ghar soap’ (meaning ‘laurel’ in Arabic), the product is simple, natural, and an emblem of resilient, time-honoured craftsmanship. But, what is the Aleppo soap exactly made of and what might its future look like, considering the recent turmoil Syria has endured?
A Syrian worker displays soap bars in a factory on the outskirts of Aleppo on February 10, 2019. – The head of the committee of Aleppo soap producers, says the province used to produce around 30,000 tonnes of soap per year before the start of the Syrian war in 2011. This figure dropped to less than 1,000 tonnes after 2012. Today, figures are back up to 10,000 tonnes a year, he says, as factories once again churn out a Syrian “national treasure”. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP) (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA/AFP via Getty Images)LOUAI BESHARA/Getty Images
What is the Aleppo Soap?
Born in Syria’s second city, Aleppo, the famous namesake soap is traditionally made of two ingredients: olive oil and laurel oil. It can be used for face, hand, hair and body washing. The green and light-brown cleaning agent, famously stamped with Arabic writing, has a long history, dating back to the Middle Ages and was believed to have been transported to European lands by the Crusaders. Today, the soaps are still being locally produced in old, family-run factories in Aleppo.