Traditional Omani clothing - the fashion that shapes the culture

An outfit for men

Traveling in Oman will take you through gorgeous desert landscapes and bustling city streets, meeting friendly locals along the way. Women in embroidered abaya and men in long white dresses smile kindly as you drive by.

The country's traditional attire is both intriguing and functional, and Oman has a unique culture that brings together many regional influences.

An outfit for men

An outfit for menWhen visiting Oman, you can't help but notice the modest ankle-length, collarless dresses worn by local men. Called plate and sometimes kandura, they come in different colors such as white, black, blue, green and brown.

White plates are traditionally worn at formal events. They are made of cotton for use in the summer months and wool, often imported from Kashmir, for the winter months.

Sometimes the plate includes a decorative tassel called a tarboush or furah. For formal occasions, men sometimes wear a beige cloak called a bisht, which comes with a tangled gold lining.

Men wear a headdress that includes a turban called a mussar and a cap called a kumma. In rural Oman, some men wear traditional headbands called mahfifs.

TurbanThe woolen turban mussar is usually worn at work. It protects the head from heat in summer and keeps it warm in winter. The kumma hat under the mussar is often made of Kashmiri wool.

The piece includes intricate embroidery known as tanjeem, which makes each cap unique. Traditionally, women sew personalized kummas for their family members.

On their waist, attached to a belt, usually called a shal, which contains a plate, is a ceremonial dagger, the khanjar.

KhanjarIt was once used as a weapon against enemies in the desert, but now it symbolizes courage when boys come of age. Omani men wear it during ceremonies, weddings and religious festivals.

There are many types of khanjars such as al-Saidi worn by the royal family, al-Nizwami from the Nizwa region, and al-Suri from the Sur region. It is known to be the smallest type of khanjar.

The last element of traditional men's attire is the Assa or Cane. It is used while shepherding or riding camels and horses. Made of bamboo or wood, such as the Khaiseran and Meez, it is also an accessory in traditional Omani dancing.

Women's Clothing

Women's ClothingBecause Oman is a Muslim country, women usually cover their heads. The Omani headdress, called a lihaf, covers a woman's head, neck, and can even be wrapped around their face, although women do not have to do this.

In fact, the sultan forbade women from holding public office by covering their faces. Although some headdresses are simple, most can be found embellished with sequins and embroidery that make them quite stunning.

Women wear the burqa as a sign of modesty. The Omani burqa is polished and then dyed indigo, as this color is believed to protect them from evil spirits and bad luck.

ParanjaThe burqa has many variations in the country. For example, Al-Batinah is influenced by the Gulf style of dress, while Al-Malik is mostly worn by Bedouin women.

For special occasions and holidays, such as Eid, women chose a long tunic that piled at the ankles, called a tambourine, and loose pants, a sirloin. However, these beautiful outfits were not just for decoration. In ancient times, women could carry spices in the knot of the shawl and currency in the long pockets of their pants.

Women (and most men) in Oman draw attention to their eyes with a pile of black used on the inside of their eyes. This provides protection from the sun and is believed to ward off spirits.

Traditionally, Omani women wore wooden platform shoes under long tunics, but these days it is not uncommon to wear sandals and flat-soled shoes instead.

They complement their outfits with beautiful accessories. The dinar is a silver coin that adorns their forehead, and the mafra is a large headdress with a recognizable heart-shaped center.

The ears are decorated with semicircular hoops called halqs. Women wear beautifully crafted bracelets on their hands. On their necks can be found a silver chain necklace called a mantoura. Most Omani women decorate their palms with temporary tattoos called henna.

In Oman, these outfits may differ from region to region. The colors and fabrics of the garments were related to the traditions of each tribe, although this is no longer the case.

These clothes are visually appealing as well as functional, as they keep locals cool in summer and warm in winter. Many of them can be found in Omani bazaars for tourists to try on and buy for themselves.

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