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General
Information
Dress Code for Visitors:
The dress code is fairly liberal
in Muscat, although decency is still
expected. Women should wear, for
example, tops with sleeves, and
long skirts or trousers. Men are
required to wear trousers and shirts
with sleeves. Swimwear should be
restricted to the beach or pools.
National Dress
Man Dress
Male dress is characterized by ease
and adaptation to the surrounding
environment. The national dress
is ultimately a simple, ankle-length,
collarless gown with long sleeves
called a “dishdasha”.
At the rounded edge, where a traditional
collar would be, the area is embellished
by a narrow strip, the colour of
which may differ from that of the
dishdasha itself. Upon the chest
drapes a tassel of entwined thread;
“furakha” or “karkusha”, usually
scented with perfume or frankincense.
Underneath the dishdasha, a plain
piece of cloth is worn, covering
the body from the waist down. Generally
speaking, the most noted regional
differences in dishdasha designs
are the style with which they are
embroidered, varying according to
age group, with more detail included
for the younger generation.
Two types of head dress are worn
by Oman’s men, the “mussar” and
“kummah”. The mussar is a square
cut piece of finely woven wool or
cotton fabric, of a single colour,
with various patterns in the middle
of the cloth. Coming in a spectrum
of colours, the mussar is worn on
official engagements and is wrapped
around the head like a turban. The
kummah is more like a ‘cap’ and
is the head dress worn during unofficial
timings. It is hand embroidered
and comes in a plethora of colours
and styles.
Omani Khanjar
The Khanjar (dagger) is worn in
a leather sheath at the front of
the body in a special belt, in a
tradition unique to Oman. It is
a symbol of a man's origin, his
manhood and courage. National dress
is not complete without it and men
wear the khanjar at all public occasions
and festivals.
The khanjar has played an important
role in Oman's history and this
fact is reflected in the incorporation
of its image into the Omani National
Flag.
The khanjar consists of the hilt,
which is made of silver, or ivory
in the case of the ancient weapons;
the shaft, which is decorated with
bands of silver or gold wire; and
the blade. The leather sheath is
often intricately embellished with
floral or scrolled leaf filigree
work.
Ex-circulation of silver coins are
utilised, with one dagger taking
more than one month to make. Inscription
work carried out on the silver shaft
is a very delicate process, and
entails a highly specialised skill,
one requiring excellent craftsmanship
and precision. These techniques
are passed down through generations,
and it is this which sets them apart
from other daggers of the region.
Good quality khanjars may cost between
OMR 200-800. However, the Saidi
Khanjar —attributed to the Royal
Family, which is generally of pure
silver and gold-plated— can cost
much more. Other popluar khanjars
include the Nizwany distinguished
by its large size, the Sury and
the Sohary.
Woman Dress
Omani women are distinguished from
their Arab Gulf neighbours by their
eye-catching national costumes,
which distinctively vary from one
region of the country to another.
The choice of colours, particularly
in the past, was linked to a tribe's
tradition. However, all costumes
demonstrate vivid colours and vibrant
embroidery and decorations.
The components of the Omani women’s
costume comprise:
The “dishdasha” or “kandoorah” is
a long dress whose sleeves or “radoon”
are adorned with hand stitched embroideries
of various designs. A slit in the
middle of the chest, usually red
or purple, is also typical.
The dishdasha is worn over a pair
of loose fitting trousers, tight
at the ankles, and is known as a
“sirwal”.
Women also wear a head shawl known
by several names, “wiqaya,” “lisso”
and “fatqah”. However, it is most
commonly referred to as the “lihaf”.
In today’s fast paced world, the
women of Oman are opting for practically
and reserve wearing their traditional
Dress for special occasions. In
its place, a simple and convenient
item of clothing is preferred. Women
now choose to wear a loose black
cloak called an “abaya” over their
personal choice of clothing; whilst
in some regions a face mask known
as a “burqa” is still worn to this
day.
Folk Dances & Songs
Music plays an integral role in
the vivid and varied cultural heritage
of the Sultanate of Oman. Traditional
music is closely associated with
the nation’s daily practices and
overall social structure, and is
performed in groups, reflecting
the essence of societal unity and
solidarity.
Typically, music is played as part
of age old customs and traditions,
religious festivities and on national
and private occasions such as weddings,
circumcision and harvesting. More
often than not, music is accompanied
by dancing, singing and the recitation
of poetry, which may vary in context
and style from one Wilayat to another.
Traditional Omani music and the
accompanying activities have deep-rooted
foundations. Throughout the Sultanate,
such music and folklore dances are
performed to either stringed instruments
such as the lute, rebec and oud,
or wind instruments such as the
flute, oboe and horn, or a combination
of both.
The aforementioned instruments represent
the ‘tune’ aspect of traditional
Omani music. The ‘beat’ on which
the music is based, is achieved
through the use of 27 rhythm instruments,
of which Al-Rahmani, Al-Kasser,
Al-Masnad and Al-Marwas drums are
the most prominent.
The Oman Centre for Traditional
Music, pertaining to the Ministry
of Information, is entrusted with
the collection and documentation
of traditional Omani music, songs
and dances.
Handicrafts
Shipbuilding
Shipbuilding yards can be found
lining the Gulf of Sur, where one
can experience first hand, the impressive
craft of ship building. Building
large ships is no longer practiced;
only boats and small ships such
as Sanbook are currently being produced.
Several professional shipbuilders
now make miniature models of the
various old Omani ships that once
graced the waters of the Sultanate.
Not far from the yards, a small
naval museum has been set up for
interested visitors showcasing the
history of shipbuilding in the region,
marine tools utilised for building,
navigation and more, a large selection
of pictures highlighting the seafarers
and ships of yesteryear.
The Public Authority for Craft Industries
has been established to collect,
document and sponser traditional
handicrafts and inducstries of Oman.
Pottery
In addition to shipbuilding and
the leather industry, the clay industry
in Oman is considered one of the
oldest and most important traditions.
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.
The Public Authority for Craft Industries
has been established to collect,
document and sponser traditional
handicrafts and inducstries of Oman.
Silver Minting
Oman’s silver industry is an ancient
trade. Practiced for many centuries
throughout the Sultanate, 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 Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries
the main source of silver was the
Austrian Maria Theresa Rial, which
remained in circulation up to and
including the year 1970.
The nation emblem of Oman is the
Khanjar. With its prominent design,
ornate appearance and silver embellishments,
the Khanjar is considered one of
the most distinctive silver artefacts
of all.
The Public Authority for Craft Industries
has been established to collect,
document and sponser traditional
handicrafts and inducstries of Oman.
Spinning & Weaving
Goats are not only considered a
vital source of food in Oman, but
also an important source of wool,
as is the sheep.
Omani producers use this wool to
create some daily necessities, for
example, tents (Bedouin residence),
mats, cover for pack animals, saddlebags,
shoes etc. The traditional hand
loom is used to make threads.
The Public Authority for Craft Industries
has been established to collect,
document and sponser traditional
handicrafts and inducstries of Oman.
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.
In general, the longest season in
the palm tree calendar is that of
Al-Rutab (ripe dates).
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 to name but a handful.
The Public Authority for Craft Industries
has been established to collect,
document and sponser traditional
handicrafts and inducstries of Oman.
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.
The Public Authority for Craft Industries
has been established to collect,
document and sponser traditional
handicrafts and inducstries of Oman.
Omani Halwa
The Omani Halwa is a highly regarded
symbol of generosity and distinction
within the Omani community.
It constitutes from: starch, eggs,
sugar, water, saffron, ghee, cardamom,
nuts, and rosewater; usually brought
from Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar.
The ingredients are mixed in specified
proportions and normally cooked
in a large pot called Al-Mirjal,
for not less than two hours with
continuous stirring. The Halwa is
served in honour of guests and on
special occasions.
The Public Authority for Craft Industries
has been established to collect,
document and sponser traditional
handicrafts and inducstries of Oman.
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.
The Public Authority for Craft Industries
has been established to collect,
document and sponser traditional
handicrafts and industries of Oman.
Rose Water Distillation
Approximately 150 Km from the capital
city of Muscat, one of the Sultanate’s
most distinguished tourist destinations,
Al Jabal Al Akhdar, ‘The Green Mountain’
can be found.
Between the months of March and
May, the heights of the mountain,
particularly the villages of Al
Shareejah and Seiq, are overflowing
with rose pickers.
The rose picking season and the
distilling of the resultant waters
produced from the rose petals are
most productive in April. The densely
packed rose shrubs are converged
upon by a multitude of people, making
it a beautiful and eye catching
scene. Roses are picked at two intervals
of the day; early morning when the
roses bloom and early evening, as
the sun begins to set.
Distillation process is a long and
arduous task, continuing throughout
the day and well into the night.
Once this stage is complete, rose
water is collected in clay urns
and kept covered in a closed dark
room for ninety days. Only at this
point can the urn be removed and
the product bottled and prepared
for market.
The Public Authority for Craft Industries
has been established to collect,
document and sponsor traditional
handicrafts and industries of Oman.
For Oman Visa Information
please visit the following web site.
http://www.rop.gov.om/english/dg_passport_visas.asp
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