Smithsonian - Perishable Pundit

[72]Although the oldismaking way forthe new, progress isstilla mantle wornlightly by a societythat retains a strongcommitment totradition, culture,and heritage.on otter, and special commissions are accepted for work to order.Contiguous with the various souks are artisanal workshops, wheresilver- and goldsmiths, weaponry makers, blacksmiths, leathercratters, carpenters, tailors, and hahva makers may all be found hardat work. It is evident, particularly in the gold and silver souks, thatmercantile prosperity and the cosmopolitan character of the capitalhave done much to encourage the production of luxury goods.The souks of the capital are outlets not only for consumergoods but also tor a broad range of imported raw materials usedby urban and rural artisans. Textile sellers offer fabrics from the FarEast, the Indian subcontinent, Africa. Europe, and the Americas,together with threads, trims, and other costume materials used byembroiderers and pit-loom weavers. Suppliers in the alleys behindthe gold and silver souk provide jewelers and khanjar (Omaniceremonial dagger) makerswith imported metals in ingotor nugget form, wire and sheetmetal in various gauges at highlycompetitive prices, dies, tools,scales, and crucibles from Pakistanand India, Omani leather, Indianteak, and arange of burnishing,soldering, and casting compounds.For the incense makers, perfumeand spice sellers otter fragrantingredients from the far cornersof the world—aromatic oils,woods, resins, rose-scentedwater, fixatives, and burners.The spice stalls also otter henna< powder and paste as well as2 dried limes, which are used as1afixative m henna mixtures.Although the old ismaking*i the new, progress isway foro- still a mantle worn lightly byThe secrets of one of the world'smost ancient crafts are containedin a small workroom in Bahla, oneof the last corners in the Arabworld where Indigo dyeing isstillintertwined with local cultureSuccessive generations of Omanisa society that retains a strong commitment to tradition, culture,and heritage. The extent to which Omani craft products continueto have utility in daily life is quite remarkable, as is the extentto which craft producers continue to equate challenge withopportunity m the practice of their craft. Craft skills continueto be passed down trom mother to daughter, father to son, andcontinue to be captivated by theOman remains among the few nations inthe Middle East withallure of the precious dyestuffa living heritage that remains relevant to both local populationsand visitors. There is every hope that the country cancontinue to broaden its horizons without forfeiting its past.SMITHSONIAN FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL