Comoros

By Salima Abdou Nourdine MORONI, COMOROS — Amid the fragrant groves of Anjouan and Mohéli, golden flowers and vanilla vines flourish beneath the tropical sun. These humble crops—ylang‑ylang for perfume and vanilla for flavor—are no longer just crops. They are emblematic of a nation forging prosperity from its soil, fueling both economic revival and social cohesion. “When a woman distills ylang‑ylang at dawn, she is preserving centuries of heritage and enabling her children’s schooling,” reflects Hajja Saïdou, a cooperative leader in Anjouan. The Scented Powerhouse Comoros is the world’s leading producer of ylang‑ylang essential oil, contributing roughly 60 percent of global supply. Alongside these fragrant blooms, vanilla vines climb the volcanic slopes—enriching aroma and...