|
|
|
|
Hand crafts
|
|
|
Palm-Frond Weaving
|
|
|
|
|
Oman has a wealth of approximately eight million palm trees
of varying types. It is noted that a variety of palms produce dates of unparalleled
sweetness anywhere in the world. The majority of the date harvest is consumed locally
with the remainder exported to various countries. The leaves themselves are stripped
from the tree and utilised by skilled craftsmen to manufacture a host of objects,
useful in daily life such as ropes, baskets, bird cages, pergolas, mats, fans and
fishing cages.
|
|
Omani Halwa (sweet)
|
|
|
|
|
It is a symbol of the Omani traditional hospitality. The main
ingredients which go into the making are: starch, eggs, sugar, water, ghee, saffron,
cardamom, nuts and rose water. Halwa is invariably served at times of joy or sorrow
and, on religious occasions and festivals. It graces the tables of every Omani home.
|
|
Frankincense
|
|
|
|
|
The frankincense gatherers cut the frankincense trees in many
places. The first cut consists of paring off the outer bark of the branches and
trunk. This causes a milky-white liquid to ooze from the tree which quickly solidifies.
The second cut produces resin of an inferior quality. The third cut produces frankincense
resin of yellowish color.
|
|
|
Rosewater distillation
|
|
|
|
|
Rosewater is used in wedding ceremonies, cooking and in beauty
treatments. The rosewater fragrant is expensive, but has one of the most beautiful
perfumes. On the slopes of Al-Jebel Al-Akhdar, there are rose terraces, which produce
the most heavenly smelling rose water and rose oils ( attar ). Rosewater
is used in religious ceremonies, in cooking and also in beauty treatments. Distilling
oil from the rose petals is a difficult procedure and the Jebel Akhdar rose has
a short bloom, lasting only for a few weeks in April.
|
|
|
Shipbuilding
|
|
|
|
|
Shipbuilding yards can be found in Sur, where one can experience first hand, the
impressive craft of ship building. Several professional shipbuilders now make miniature
models of the various old Omani ships that once graced the waters of the Sultanate.
|
|
Pottery
|
|
|
|
|
Archaeological discoveries revealed that clay industry was active throughout Oman
during the forth millennium B.C. The clay industry was influenced by ancient civilizations
like the Sumerian, making use of Iranian techniques. Further down the historical
timeline, the Omani clay industry saw its influence coming from the clays of Samuraa',
Siraf and Yemen , where Islamic industries flourished.
|
|
|
Silver Minting
|
|
|
|
|
Oman 's silver industry is an ancient trade. It has developed with time honoured
tradition into a highly diverse and tasteful skill.
Centred primarily in Nizwa, this business is widespread and can be found in Muscat
, Muttrah, Salalah, Ibri, Bahla, Rustaq and Sur. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries
the main source of silver was the Austrian Maria Theresa Rial, which remained in
circulation up to and including the year 1970.
|
|
|
Kummah Embroidery
|
|
|
|
|
|
It is not known when the first Kummah was introduced into Oman , nor is it possible
to trace the circumstances with which it came to be.
However, what is known is that this sophisticated head dress is unique in that it
is woven only by women to be worn only by men.
|
For more information visit: www.paci.gov.om
|
|
|
|
Traditional Food
|
|
|
Khawa
|
One delight that remains a symbol of Omani hospitality throughout the country are
the ubiquitous dates, served with khawa, or Omani coffee. Khawa is prepared from
freshly roasted ground coffee mixed with cardamom powder.
|
|
Shuwa
|
Is a typically Omani delicacy prepared only on very special occasions. Whole villages
participate in the cooking of the dish which consists of a whole cow or goat roasted
for up to two days in an special oven prepared in a pit dug in the ground.
|
|
Sakhana
|
sakhana, a thick, sweet soup made of wheat, date, molasses and milk and fatta, a
meat and vegetable dish, mixed with khubz rakhal, thin Omani bread, made out of
unleavened dough.
|
|
Arsia
|
Dishes served during Eid festivities include arsia, a dish of lamb meat cooked with
rice, and mishkak, skewered meat grilled on charcoal.
|
|
|
Native Activities
|
|
|
Bee keeping
|
It has been practiced since ancient times in Oman . Two types of bees are known
in Oman :
Apis millifera and Apis florea. The specialist bee keepers have developed great
skill in obtaining honey and propagating bee colonies in a sustainable manner, they
keep the honey bee in hollowed out trunks of date palms.
|
|
Camel breeding
|
It practiced all over Oman . Omani camels are of medium size and known for their
strength and speed and colours vary by region: Dhofar camels tend to be black, although
lighter colours are more common elsewhere. Camels are used in Oman for riding or
racing and also for meat and milk.
|
|
Horse Breeding
|
The Omanis' love of horses can be seen in the way they deck them out: the neck ornaments,
the silver bridle, the sweat cover placed on the back and the underclothes to prevent
chafing, the silver collar-piece, and finally the reins. occasions.
|
|
Folk Songs and Dances
|
Each region of Oman has its own songs and dances unique to the area. During festivals
and ceremonies, these are performed for the appropriate occasion. In March 2001,
the Omani Song Festival will be held. The competition is being run by the Ministry
of National Heritage and Culture and the winner will have the opportunity to have
an album made of his songs .
|
|
Shrimp Fishing
|
Shrimp fishing season in Oman is certainly an exciting and special sight to behold.
With roughly one thousand fishing vessels gathering within close proximity of each
other, remaining close to shore at all times, the event is more like a celebration
than work.
Dolphins are seen playfully jumping between the boats, creating a truly unique and
amusing experience, restricted to the season extending from September to March,
with October being the peak.
The setting for this spectacle can be seen in several locations, the most prominent
of which is a small island surrounded by thick mangrove vegetation in the Wilayat
of Muhut. In addition to the aforementioned spot, shrimp fishing is also practiced
in the coastal village of Khalloof, not far from Muhut and the Wilayat of Duqm;
some 200 Km from Muhut. All fishing is performed along shallow shores at depths
ranging from 20 and 50 metres.
|
|
Fishing
|
For the last 100 years The Sultanate of Oman has been hiding its game fishing form
the world. From Muscat to Salalah local fishermen have been bringing in big fish
from their small boats, like Yellowfin tuna, Barracuda, Sailfish, Giant Trevally,
Bigeye Tuna, Kawakawa or Queenfish.
Boat charter and fishing holidays are available in The Sultanate of Oman as full
fishing or mixed leisure holidays.
|
|
|
|
Fascinating Hamlets
|
|
|
Misfat al Abreyeen
|
Life on Misfat al Abreyeen in the wilayat of Al Hamra is a classic hand-over legacy
practised by many generations. The mountain village set amidst stunning landscape
has hardly changed over the years except for some developmental works like roads,
electricity and telecommunication networks benefiting the residents.
|
|
Bilad Sayt
|
Life on Misfat al Abreyeen in the wilayat of Al Hamra is a classic hand-over legacy
practised by many generations. The mountain village set amidst stunning landscape
has hardly changed over the years except for some developmental works like roads,
electricity and telecommunication networks benefiting the residents.
|
|
Al Rowdha's
|
Al Rowdha is located just 3km from Al Akhdar, another picturesque village in Samad
A'Shan, known for its oasis ambience and rich historical legacy. Towering above
the verdant countryside is Al Rowdha's most famous landmark, Bait Hus'n al Rowdha.
A dirt track snaking along the bed of a dry wadi brings you to this imposing edifice
at the entrance to Al Rowdha village.
|
|
Al Hoqain
|
The larger of the two niyabats of Al Rostaq, the ancient town lies a short distance
from Rostaq town. It's a half-hour's drive from Al Woshil, one of four routes leading
to Al Hoqain (two other routes originate from Suwaiq, and another from Al Hazm).
Twenty kilometres down this graded road, which cuts a swathe through the arid, undulating
terrain, Al Hoqain looms into view.
|
|
|