Oman is a beautiful country with centuries-old culture and tradition. I would call it an undiscovered gym. It is still very much in touch with its traditional. It is very different in that sense from its neighboring country UAE. This post is an ode to Omani culture. Muscat is the capital of Oman. Muscat festival takes place every year in January and lasts for almost a month. It usually takes place at two locations, Al Amerat Park(Muscat) and Naseem Garden(Barka. Al Amerat Park exhibits mostly cultural activities whereas Naseem Gardens has more fun, play, and shopping.  I went to Al Amerat Park in January 2015. Muscat Festival at Al Amerat Park and availed my chance of a crash course in Omani culture.

Absolutely love the slogan of Ministry of Tourism: Beauty has an address – Oman

You get a chance to see the cooking process of many traditional dishes including one of the most eaten things in Oman; Omani Halwa. It is a sticky sweet rightly termed as a symbol of Omani hospitality. The basic ingredients are Tapioca starch, sugar, and water. Nuts and condiments like almond, pistachios, sesame seeds, rosewater, cardamom powder etc. are also added. You would usually see families owning Halwa businesses where every family has its own set of the secret ingredients.

Omani Halwa is usually cooked in a large pan in an underground oven

Omani bread is another Omani staple. It’s a very-very thin bread usually broken into pieces and soaked in curry or soup. Here’s a variation cooked with egg and ghee (clarified butter).

You also see artisans at work

Traditional woolen fabric weaving

Basket weaving

And blasts from the past……

Khanjars (Omani daggers) from the past

..and guns!

Omani sailboat on display

Dates, Omani coffee, fire and folktales. A typical scene outside a Bedouin tent

You also walk through an area of the park setup into a real deal traditional village…

You see women doing embroidery

and girls sitting around in colorful traditional clothes chit chatting the time away

…and last but not the least, yours truly inside a traditional tent!

So this is a lil’ tour around Muscat Festival (Al Amerat park). It covers a tiny glimpse of what Oman was and what it is right now. Trust me, this country has much more to it. Keep reading my blog for more info about Oman and what it has to offer.

For any comments and questions, drop me a word!

Ma As Salama (Peace with you)

Lovexx