General Information » Culture & Lifestyle » National Dress

Most Omanis wear traditional dress during work and social hours. Men wear an ankle length, collarless gown with long sleeves (dishdasha). It is usually white, although beige, lilac, black and navy are also sometimes worn. The neckline has a tassel called a furakha, which is sometimes scented with perfume. A plain cloth (wuzar) is worn under the dishdasha from the waist down. On their heads men usually wear a brimless embroidered hat (kumah). Sometimes a square of finely woven cotton is wound around the head, over the kumah, to make a turban (muzzar).

On formal occasions, men may wear a black or beige cloak edged in silver or gold thread (bisht). A traditional dagger (khanjar) often hangs from the waist, secured by a belt of leather and silver (sapta) or a strip of cloth. Some men also carry a stick (assa or baakora) as an accessory. Omani men wear sandals, even on formal occasions.

Traditional women’s costumes are very colourful and vary from region to region. The main components are a pair of loose trousers (sirwal), a long-sleeved tunic and a headdress (lihaf). The tunics are often extremely colourful, with bright greens, reds, purples, and oranges, intricately woven together in embroidered patterns. The lihaf covers the head and shoulders and is black or the same fabric as the tunic. In northern and coastal Oman, women tend to wear a full-length, caftan-style dress (khandoura), which is embroidered in different patterns.

In public, women cover their normal clothes with a full-length, black cloak-dress (abaya). The abaya is usually made of sheer, flowing fabric, sometimes open at the front. Modern women will often wear trousers or a long skirt underneath.

You can still see women, usually in the interior but also in Muscat, wearing the ‘burkha’ (mask) which covers the brow, cheekbones and nose. It is often dyed gold or indigo. Some older women also pierce their noses on both sides and wear a carnelian stone or a gold flower stud. In Dhofar, indigo is sometimes rubbed on the face to give a bluish tint that complements the robes.





Made in Oman?

Authentic Oman souvenirs include silver items, pottery, weaving, textiles, fragrances, copper and sweets. Of particular interest is the intricately crafted traditional dagger, the khanjar. The curved dagger is traditionally attached to a belt and hung around the waist. The best place to hunt for authentic souvenirs is in the souks – just be on guard for new ‘Omani’ silver items that are actually made in Indian antique factories!