Al-Qubaita: A Legacy of Sweets
منذ 8 أشهر
From afar, the scene is quite striking: a large crowd of people of all ages and backgrounds are standing in front of Al-Qubati’s shops in Al-Anad, Lahj, south Yemen
It takes a long time to reach the store’s entrance, and entering the store requires patience
Amidst the throng, a young girl amplifies her distress with exaggerated sobs, imploring, “Please, Uncle, get me out of here
I’ve been waiting for an hour
” Meanwhile, another, hailing from the marginalized community, clings to the shirt of a seventy-year-old man, entreating, “Uncle, please buy me some sweets
May God bless you
”At noon, there’s scarcely a moment to engage with the vendors of Qubati sweets, as the stores bustle with customers and orders
Men and women hastily enter, seeking various types of sweets, with little time to spare
In the midst of the bustling activity and clamor enveloping him, fifty-year-old seasoned worker Anwar Anam remains deeply engrossed in his work, quietly kneading sweet dough over a gentle flame
On the main road through Al-Anad, 29 kilometers south of the Lahj capital, row upon row of Qubati sweet shops beckon
Though each bears a different name, they all trace their lineage back to a single founder: Ali Saeed Al-Qubati
The story of Qubati sweets traces its roots back to the 1940s in Lahj Governorate, Yemen
It all began with a man named “Al-Aswar” whose relative embarked on a journey to India
There, he gleaned a modest yet invaluable experience in sweet-making, which he later brought back to Lahj Governorate
Al-Aswar commenced his venture by crafting sweets known as Al-Madroub, a delicacy that has since become synonymous with Lahiji sweets and continues to enjoy popularity in the region to this day
In the northern Yemeni region of Al-Rahida, Hajj Ali Saeed Al-Qubati embarked on the journey of developing the sweet-making, gradually enriching it with experience and a plethora of flavors
Over time, Qubati sweets garnered widespread acclaim, emerging as among the most renowned confections not only in Yemen but also across the Gulf countries
As he spreads the dough on a wooden table to shape it, Uncle Anam reflects on a lifetime devoted to sweet-making
Since 1995, this has been his primary profession and sole source of livelihood
Fahim Al-Qubati, a 30-year-old sweets maker hailing from the central Yemeni city of Ibb, shares, “I’ve been perfecting this profession for 15 years, learning it from my family and relatives
These are the very sweets my father used to create, and I intend to pass on this legacy to my children and younger relatives
”No corner of Yemen is complete without the presence of the renowned Qubati sweets shops, as serving sweets alongside a Yemeni meal holds significant cultural importance for many
There are thousands of Qubati sweets shops scattered throughout Yemen, he adds, with two or three available in every public market or Qat market
Yemen isn’t the sole residence of Qubati sweets; these renowned delicacies have also found homes in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, and Oman
No visitor or traveler to and from the country can resist carrying these sweets with them to distant shores and continents as a cherished Yemeni gift, he notes
The irresistible smell emanating from the sweets shops halts passersby in their tracks
“We can’t help but be drawn in by the smell; we’re compelled to purchase sweets,” remarks one passerby
Qubati sweets reign supreme as the most renowned and delectable confections in Yemen, unrivaled by any other variety in the market
However, not every sweets maker can master this profession, as the art of Qubati sweet-making holds its own unique secret, according to “Fahim Al-Qubati
” Gesturing towards an array of delicacies, he explains, “You see, these sweets possess their own secret, and we, as Qubati people, hold the key to our profession
” Consequently, there are numerous other sweets makers who may label their products as Qubati sweets for promotional purposes
He further elaborates, “Qubati sweets boast a distinct taste and flavor profile that sets them apart from others, and their creators guard the secret of their profession closely, divulging it to no one
”Al-Qubaita district possesses its own allure, characterized by its scenic agricultural vistas and renowned for the warmth and tranquility of its inhabitants
Spanning an area of 1024 km², it sits at an elevation of 981 meters above sea level
Initially under the jurisdiction of Taiz Governorate until 1998, it later transitioned to become one of the districts of Lahj Governorate
The young residents engage in a myriad of vocations, yet it is within the confectionery trade that they predominantly find their niche
Fahim proudly displays his sweets, “This is what we do best
It’s how we support our families, and we the people of Qubaita will never stop making these tasty treats
It’s in our heritage
” This story was first published in Arabic on 2 February 2024ليصلك كل جديدالإعلاميون في خطرمشاورات السلام كشف التضليل التحقيقات التقارير