Al-Husn Souq
Jackamy
Paul & Derry Harper
Sat 23 Apr 2011 08:25
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Saturday 23rd April
The Al-Husn Souq is a
brightly lit maze of shops and barbers, as you walk through the alleyways
you can smell the smoke of the Frankincense burning.
It is mostly men that frequent the souq with a few
Arab women shop keepers who all wear black gowns known as an abeyya and a burka
(veil) or mask.
  The traditional dress for Omani
men is an ankle-length, collarless gown with long sleeves called a dishdasha.
The colour most frequently worn is white, although other colours such as black,
blue and brown are also worn. They also wear a cap known as an Omani
hat.
   Omani hats are hand or machine
made on the premises and are decorated with intricate and brightly coloured
embroidery.
  Suits you sir!!
 Pashminas.
Omani frankincense is considered
to be the finest quality in the world and is still in demand in many countries.
It is an important ingredient in the manufacture of incense which is burned on
social occasions,in the manufacture of medicines, powders, perfumes, candles as
well as in halls of worship around the world.
  The frankincense is sold in
plastic bags according to weight, while the incense is packed in small metal
tins. Charcoal is placed in a traditional Dhofar incense burner
then frankincense and incense are placed on top and burn to release
a fragrant smoke.
Frankincense...Beads of
amber-coloured sap.
The Queen of Sheba is said to
have laid Frankincense at the feet of King Solomon and the three wise men took
the precious resin to Jerusalem.
  Pottery incense burners are
painted in bright colours and are called Al Majma.
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