Muscat Festival 2014 Part 2

To continue with a great experience of another culture's heritage, I am sharing a video of some Omani dancing, singing, and music.

Set up close to the dancing area was an area where some women were weaving, sewing, and doing other activities related to home life. I loved the brightly colored abiyahs and shaylas the women were wearing!

A unique version of the baby's cradle. Hung on a rope, it is easily pushed for rocking the baby!

A brightly decorated example of a bedroom--no chairs, just the cushions on the floor and straw mats for the floor.

This little boy was playing with technology while waiting around for his mom. Kids are the same the world over!

Utensils of everyday life.

These girls are wearing a bit more formal costume.

Making baskets

Another baby cradle, this one with a mobile.

  

Next on display was a display of ancient artifacts. Like the native American Indians who used all parts of the buffalo to support their everyday life, the Omanis used all parts of the camel as well. Of course, there is jewelry, pottery, khanjars (knives), swords, guns, and other relics.

Camel bladders?

Armor and shield--think the Crusades.

What do you write on when you have no paper? Camel bones, of course!

Of course, no festival would be complete without refreshments. They had both traditional Omani food booths as well as fast food booths. If you've ever been to a county or state fair before, you are familiar with the all the food booths. Here is what  it looks like in Oman:

Serving tea and refreshments, Omani style.

Fast food booths with seating out front.

You will recognize Pizza Hut and KFC. There is usually a McDonald's as well!

Cotton candy is a staple at all Omani gatherings, sen at the mall!

That pretty well sums up our evening at the festival. We picked up Don afterwards and went out for a quick dinner--Indian food, of course. What else when with Monika and Ashwin?

We started with a spiced Indian tea--

The bread is delicious. It's called nan. We ate every bit in our basket!

A sampling of our dinner on Monika's plate.

Another successful adventure for our time in Oman! I hope you enjoyed it as well!