Traditional Omani handicrafts were on the brink of extinction a few years ago but they have made a dramatic comeback with the encouragement from the Ministry of Culture and Heritage to preserve these skills. Traditionally handicrafts were practiced and passed on through generations over thousands of years.
To start with, the ubiquitous palm tree has provided more than dates for the natives- its leaves are used to make 'mukhraf'(a bag for collecting dates), baskets and intricately designed shoulder bags called 'murbah'.
The 'mansul' is a traditional cloak made from black goats hair and embroidered on the outside.
Silver jewellery has always been an important part of the traditional Omani attire. Necklaces, bracelets, ear rings, anklets, ear pendants, bangles and hair decorations are typical examples of this craft as well as the famous Khanjar (curved dagger), the national symbol of Oman. Nizwa is famous for the silver souq where you can find decorative jewellery and Khanjars.
Bahla is known as the centre for pottery where you can still find potters at their wheels throwing clay pots, jugs, urns, incense burners, and decorative items which are then fired in kilns. Styles consist of simple decoration with simple glazed designs or etching on the surface.
In the desert you will find colourful camel girth straps woven by the Bedouin women of Wahiba. These colourful straps sometimes incorporate intricate geometric patterns and are woven from camel, goat and sheep wool as well as (nowadays) imported fibres.
Wood carving is also popular in the coastal areas. One of the most obvious examples of these are the elaborate wooden doors of almost any domicile. The craft also lends itself to the design of chests, shelves, and miniature reproductions of dhows