Best Souvenirs From Oman
The best way to snag your souvenirs in Oman is to visit the local souqs. Almost all major towns have at least one traditional souq, most often the historical center. Truthfully, a souq in Oman is perhaps a letdown for those expecting the color and senses they may have experienced in Istanbul or India. On the other hand, Omani souq is a far more subdued affair. You will not likely be overwhelmed by the intense colors and aroma as you would in Turkey or Istanbul, but they are still some pleasant browsing experiences.
Most travelers' most obvious shopping destinations are Muscat's Mutrah Souq and Nizwa's Nizwa Souq. Both offer a good sampling of typical souvenirs kitsch, with Muttrah having a larger percentage of shops chasing the tourist dollars. Regardless, locals still outnumber tourists, and it is important to go beyond the main thoroughfares to discover many of the local-oriented stalls selling everyday household items. While not particularly interesting from the tourist perspective, it is the backbone of the traditional markets.
Selection of pottery for tourists at Nizwa Souq.
Nizwa Souq.
Nizwa Souq, carefully renovated and modernized in the 1990s, gets my vote for the most enjoyable marketplace in the Sultanate. Separate market halls are based on specific trades, ranging from vegetables, fish, dates, halwa, clothing, weaponry, and handicrafts/souvenirs. The souq is well organized and a joy to browse. As elsewhere in the Middle East, haggling is the norm in the traditional souq, and be prepared to walk away. It is often said that a quarter of the asking price is often a decent place to start. Unless you are buying a silver Khanjar, the chance is that your wallet could avoid suffering from serious damage.
Traditional souq is often shut down around late afternoon when the heat is most intense. If you decide to visit Muttrah Souq in the hour between 1 pm and 5 pm, rest assured that only the tourist stalls will be open.
All Things Frankincense (or Not)
No doubt. Oman produced the world's highest quality frankincense for more than two millenniums. Few aromas represent Arabia better than this precious tree resin; this is particularly the case for Oman. At almost any local souqs, you could find a row or two of frankincense merchants, each offering varying degrees of quality. For the connoisseurs, Omani frankincense is commercially available in four grades under different names: hoojri, najdi, shathari, and shaabi, based on four geographic locations in Dhofar from where the resins are harvested. It is often said that the whiter and clearer the frankincense, the higher the quality of the product.
Personally, I found frankincense to be a decent, if not a remarkable, Omani souvenir. Given the global commerce, high-grade frankincense is commercially available worldwide, albeit at a higher price. I would recommend looking out for frankincense-related products, such as the iconic incensed burner from the Dhofar region, priced at as little as 1 OMR at the backside of Mutrah Souq. For a more interesting take on the frankincense craze, how about some lovely frankincense-scented personal products? At our first hotel in Oman, Atana Musandam Resort in Khasab, we fell in love with their frankincense shampoo and conditioner products. While in Muscat, watch out for frankincense water and frankincense-flavored ice cream!
Omani Fabric & Kuma
In Europe or much of East Asia, the concept of national customs is just that... an idea and mere "costume" for special occasions. In Oman, the national costumes of dishdasha and kuma are truly the default dress code for men. This is the easiest way for us to tell ethnic Omanis apart from the ex-pats. Speaking as someone most comfortable in loose clothing, I was so tempted to get a dishdasha while in the country. Perhaps if we were there in the middle of the summer, I would likely leap and go "local" despite the lack of cultural sensitivity.
While dishdasha is ubiquitous throughout the Gulf states, kuma is unique to Oman and could trace its origin back to Oman's links with Zanzibar (today part of the modern state of Tanzania) during the peak of its empire that stretched from modern Pakistan to the southeastern coast of Africa. They have since become the cultural symbols of Oman. At anywhere between 4 and 10 OMR a piece, it makes great, affordable, portable, and stylish souvenirs for friends and families.
men in distinctively Omni Kuma at the Nizwa Cattle Market.
Dishdasha and kuma aside, keep your eyes out for items made of indigenous fabric. What is considered Omani fabric? For a first-time traveler, it might be difficult to discern. It is also worth leaving your souvenir shopping toward the end of the trip. It could take a whole of traveling to the country's interior to acquaint oneself with the Omani design. Instead of the Indian cashmere, the distinctive geometric designs such as the one in the image below make a great souvenir for your home. You may be surprised how difficult it is to find Omani fabric in the souq. The best place to snag an authentic rug is on the main road at the old village of Ghul (GPS coordinate: 23.149379, 57.203786) on your way up to Jebal Sham.
Omani Dates
Omani dates are renowned for their quality and higher prices. Because of that, Omani dates are often unavailable in local supermarkets, where price-sensitive shoppers often go for Saudi or Emirati dates, which tempts them to be from the larger plantations. Dates occupy such an important place in Omani society and household. Cardamom-spiced coffee and dates are always offered when you visit somebody's home or workplace. The locals consumed them in tremendous quantities, and dates are said to be the only rations available during times of siege in pre-modern times. Often, local men are also quick to point out the aphrodisiac quality of Omani dates.
The date plantation at the village of Misfat Al Abriyeen.
Dedicated date souq at Nizwa.
Beautiful serveware at Bait Al Luban in Muttrah, Muscat.
With more than 250 varieties of dates within Oman alone, knowing your dates at the start of your trip could be a worthwhile endeavor. The best place to explore different varieties would be the date souq at Nizwa Souq. While often overrun with tourists, especially on days that host the famous cattle market, the date souq offers convenient and generous tasting for over two dozen favorite varieties. At 1 OMR per kilogram, it is a wonderful place to stock up. Not only do they make convenient and affordable gifts, but dates are also great for snacking during your wadi or mountain trek. If you have not had a chance to sample all the date varieties available, go for Khalas, the most valuable cash crop in Oman and one of the sweetest and decadent kinds you could get your hands on.
Halwa
Halwa, the Omani variation of halva, is undoubtedly the national dessert of the Sultanate. Omani halwa is a sticky, gelatinous sweet that symbolizes Omani hospitality. It is served at various social gatherings along with Omani coffee. The ingredients and recipe of Halwa vary substantially, and recipes are often fiercely guarded by generations of Halwa-maker. Water, sugar, ghee, and cornflour form the foundation, while cardamom, rosewater, saffron, eggs, nuts, and dates are added depending on the halwa type. It is cooked in a big copper pot, called mirjnl, for a couple of hours with constant stirring by hands.
However, the passion for their national dessert is clear. It is not atypical to come across several dedicated halwa shops within a small town. They have the same passion for their halwa as Belgium would have for their chocolate. Despite the unique flavor profile of Omani halwa, we cannot say we are the biggest fan. I would much prefer the nut-based halva in Turkey and North Africa. The night before our flight back to New York, we went to a Lulu Hypermarket to get a pack of picnic/snack halwa samplers for my office. Not surprisingly, it took my colleagues more than a week to finish this box of halwa. At the same time, a full box of dates was gone within 24 hours. Because Omani halwa is gelatinous, I imagine the texture might throw many Westerners off for dessert.
Omani Silver Tableware
Perhaps the most iconic Omani souvenir is Khanjar, the traditional silver dagger Omani men wear at formal and ceremonial occasions. The weaponry is so iconic that it is on the national flag and coat of arms. But because of their cultural status, Khanjar would be the souvenir you must bargain for the hardest. Instead of spending a fortune to bring a semi-authentic Khanjar home, a quality piece of silver tableware makes a more useful addition to your home. Unlike the rest of the Arab world, Oman is well known for its silver-making artisans. We were particularly interested in the traditional dates container, such as the one at the elegant but overpriced restaurant Bait Al Luban in Muttrah. We wish we had looked harder for a quality piece while there. So leave a comment if you found one!
