In Oman, certain traditions are never forgotten… and always respected!
Clothing is one of these traditions, and recognizing Omanis among the Indians, Bangladeshis, and Pakistanis who populate the country is fairly easy.
Oman, clothing and accessories
If you see a man wearing a long white tunic reaching the ankles with long sleeves, rest assured he is a true Omani.
This long tunic is called the dishdasha, made of fine cotton and traditionally white, but it can also come in other colors such as hazelnut, blue, lilac, or black. With its perfect and elegant cut, it features a long slit opening at the center of the chest and a tassel often scented with perfume hanging from one side of the collar called the furakha. There are also embroideries around the cuffs, collar, back, and along the opening. This garment has endured centuries of history and will likely continue its long journey, as it is designed to protect from the heat of the sun.
Under the dishdasha, men wear the wazar, a piece of cloth arranged like a sarong that serves as underwear.
The head is covered by the kumah, a cylindrical cap decorated with colorful embroidery originating from nearby Zanzibar, or by a turban called the mussar, a square piece of cashmere fabric from India (known to Westerners as the keffiyeh).
The mussar has a more official connotation compared to the kumah, which is used daily. Sandals are the most appreciated footwear, and the elderly often use a walking stick.
A very important accessory, indispensable during official ceremonies, is the traditional dagger called the khanjar. Curved and sharp on both sides, it is a symbol of esteem and prestige for men. It is worn in its sheath on a belt around the waist. The front part of the belt can be made of woven silver threads or finely embroidered with gold or silver threads. The khanjar is definitely one of the greatest symbols of Omani heritage, also featured on the traditional flag.
Women’s clothing stands out from men’s for its bright colors, often inspired by Indian and African traditions.
The traditional women’s outfit is called the omaniya and consists of four parts: the female dishdasha, the sarwal, the waqaya, and the lahaf.
The dishdasha usually extends to the knee or below. It features a neckline at the base of the neck, loose sleeves down to the wrists, and a front opening. Like the men’s version, it is typically made of cotton, sometimes blended with silk. It also has precise embroidery and a tassel hanging from the collar.
The sarwal are the pants worn under the dishdasha, sometimes used as underwear. They are loose and soft, worn high over the hips. Like the dishdasha, they are made of cotton or a cotton-silk blend. The distinctive feature of the sarwal lies in its wide variety of designs, which differ in embroidery depending on the region.
The waqaya is another garment, about 150 cm long and wider than the first. It is often made of a lighter fabric and features short fringes along both sides. It has a thick woolen border in a variety of colors.
Lahaf is a term now commonly used to indicate the veil, strictly without fringes. We could translate it as “shawl.” Traditionally, contrary to what one might think, the veil was not wrapped around the head but only covered the top part, surrounding the sides of the face and falling over the back.
Today, especially in large cities, women wear the abaya, a long and practical black dress of Saudi tradition, worn over everyday clothing or elegant, colorful dresses that are shown only within the family.
Desert women traditionally wear a black fabric mask that reveals only the mouth, once used to protect themselves from the sun and sand. Today, these masks are instead worn as decoration and as a symbol of Omani tradition and can come in various colors.
On their feet, they wear shoes or sandals called nahl. Bracelets are a popular accessory for Omani women, who may wear even a dozen on each wrist.
Necklaces are not worn every day but are reserved for special occasions, as is the forehead ornament.
Earrings, on the other hand, are indispensable.
