A treasure-trove of Omani crafts

• Pages: 18-19

A fascinating exhibition, offered jointly by the Public

Authority for Craft Industries (PACI) of the Sultanate

of Oman and WIPO, was one of two organized on the

sidelines of WIPO’s annual meetings. It also marked

the 40th anniversary of the countr y’s National Day.

One of the world’s hottest and most arid regions,

Oman is endowed with spectacular landscapes as

well as a rich and unique cultural heritage. Its hand-

icrafts originally emerged as sk ills of survival in

harsh desert conditions. Today, under the leader-

ship of His Majest y Sultan Qaboos bin Said, “a far-

sighted policy of regulated development… aims to

protect and nurture Omani traditions, including the

heritage crafts which have sustained Omani socie-

ty for millennia.”

Referring to the unique character of Omani her-

itage, Mrs. Aiysha bint Khalfan Al-Siyabiya, PACI

chairperson said, “For centuries, Omanis have ap-

plied their creativity to developing craf t-making

skills that made good use of their natural resources.”

PACI, established by Royal Decree in March 2003,

aims to promote Oman’s crafts sector and ensure

traditional skills sur vive and provide employment

for new generations of artisans. It trains and sup-

ports craft workers and helps in identifying new

markets for their wares. It also registers, documents

and conserves the crafts of different regions and

identifies the needs of artisans.

In the exhibition brochure, WIPO Director General

Francis Gurry, pointed to the “multitude of craft in-

dustries developed over generations through the

ingenuity and creativity of the Omani people” and

applauded the Government of Oman’s commit-

ment to ensuring this sector continues to develop

and flourish.

This colorful and insightful exhibition showcased a

range of traditional handicrafts, including precious

metalwork, fine textiles, palm weaving and pottery.

Delegates were offered an opportunity to see craft-

workers practice their skills firsthand. Oman’s tradi-

tional crafts sector is thriving in spite of globaliza-

tion and modern manufacturing techniques.

Pottery and ceramics

Pottery is one of Oman’s most commercial tradi-

tional industries. Omani potters are renowned for

the beautiful designs of their hand-thrown pots.

Basket making

Basket-making is still widely practiced. Natural

fibers such as date palm and ghadaf, a desert plant,

are woven, plied, coiled, plaited, stitched and

twined to make a variety of products. No part of the

plant is wasted although techniques vary from re-

gion to region.

Silverware

“In Omani tradition, silver symbolizes purity and is

believed to have talismanic value, br inging good

fortune and protection from evil.”

The Sultanate is renowned for its traditional silver-

ware, and its silversmiths are famed for their high-

A TREASURE-TROVE

OF OMANI CRAFTS

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“The classic beauty of Oman’s earthenware

has a timeless geometric grace of form

which has made it a favorite amongst

interior designers.”

Photos: Courtesy of Omani Crafts