Oman Wires It's all about Oman
A Seeb-primarily based entrepreneur Asila Hamoud Saud al Ghamari is somebody who is carrying out her very best to preserve this tradition alive. She does not miss a opportunity to showcase the intricate however straightforward and gorgeous functions of art at areas like the Muscat Festival.
Asila began weaving when she was eight. She weaves palm fronds to make prayer mats, dolls, table mats, mandoos (a conventional chest) and a selection of other products. The palm fronds have to be soaked in water for ten days just before they are prepared for weaving the products, mentioned Asila.
A peek into her stall at Naseem is certain to leave guests in awe. “I started weaving from the age of eight. It is a skill I have inherited from my parents. I make more than five pieces per day and spend around four hours a day weaving.”
Her craft list is not restricted to just baskets and mats. “I like to make different things like incense holders, traditional Omani door mats in distinct colours, prayer mats and various other home furnishing accessories that are unique to the sultanate.”
In addition to the Muscat Festival, Asila guarantees she participates in all exhibitions organised by the Public Authority for Craft Industries (PACI).
“I take part in all exhibitions affiliated to PACI. I showcase my work at schools, universities and institutes too. I also organise workshops for students to educate them about the importance of such skills and a heritage that needs to be preserved and handed down to successive generations.”
The goods are reasonably priced. “They range between 500bz and RO10. A lot of tourists have bought my works and appreciated.”
Sustaining on an ancient craft is not an straightforward job. “The raw materials needed for making these items are expensive. Making them also requires a lot of time and marketing these products too is difficult. But patience, determination helped me hold on.”
Asila hopes to set up an exclusive shop in future. “I wish I had a shop to export my products. I want sell these items to countries across the world.”
Information Source: Muscat Daily
