“Treasures of Omani Craft
Heritage” Documentary Launched

Muscat,
1 June 2026 (ONA) — The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism today launched
the documentary film “Treasures of Omani Craft Heritage” under the
patronage of Sayyid Ibrahim Said Al Busaidi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism.

The
documentary sheds light on Oman’s national crafts, exploring their diverse
components. It aims to introduce selected elements of the craft heritage
present in the Sultanate of Oman, focusing on the aesthetic and utilitarian
values embedded in the authenticity of handmade products while reinforcing
national identity and ensuring its sustainability.

The film features a number of
traditional crafts, including palm leaf weaving, copper and metalwork, textile
weaving, stone and gypsum crafting, woodworking, mat weaving, pottery making,
copperware manufacturing and engraving (Al-Tasfeer), wool weaving, cotton
weaving, gypsum plaster crafting, and the craft of Al-Manjour (traditional wood
turning).

The documentary aims to document
Oman’s traditional crafts as an authentic component of the nation’s cultural
heritage. It seeks to safeguard inherited craft knowledge, skills, and
expertise and transmit them to future generations. The film also highlights
crafts at risk of extinction or those with declining numbers of practitioners,
underscoring their cultural and civilizational significance. It documents the
various production stages, including raw materials, tools, and inherited
techniques. The documentary further fosters public awareness of the importance
of Omani craft heritage and its role in preserving national cultural identity.
It showcases the contributions of Omani artisans and their role in ensuring the
continuity of craft practices across generations. Additionally, it provides
documentary and reference material to support studies, research, and programs
concerned with cultural heritage. Finally, the film encourages artisans to
balance authenticity with contemporary uses through product development.

The launching ceremony included
the presentation of two working papers. The first, titled “A Study of White
Soil (Kaolin Clay in the Sultanate of Oman),” was jointly presented by the
Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and the Small and Medium Enterprises
Development Authority (Riyada). Dr. Mohammed Hilal Al Kindi delivered the
paper, which covered the definition of kaolin clay, sedimentary basins, their
economic significance, as well as their environmental and economic impact, and
locations of occurrence.

On his turn, Dr. Ali Obaid Al Alawi,
Director of the Agricultural Research Department in North Al Batinah
Governorate, presented the second working paper titled “A Study of the
Al-Mais Tree.” In his paper, he highlighted the economic and environmental
significance of the Omani Al-Mais tree. He affirmed that the tree represents a
rare natural heritage and provides national opportunities for ecotourism and
economic sustainability.

— Ends/AH