Mortar mixed with palm fronds and revive Omani cotton
Published: 05:08 PM,Aug 21,2023 | EDITED : 09:08 PM,Aug 21,2023
MUSCAT: Mortar mixed with palm fronds will soon be on the market by the end of this year. These bricks are more durable and reduce agricultural waste by recycling of palm fronds. The Sarooj project is jointly implemented by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in association with cooperation with Oman Cement Company.
The MoHT is also planning to revive Khadarangi cotton, which gives unique brownish fibre. The first phase of the Omani cotton project costing RO 30,000 is under way.
The clothes made out of these cotton were used in ancient times in Oman. Khadarangi cotton was mostly cultivated in Samayil in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, and Al Mudhaibi in Al Sharqiyah North Governorate among other places
A top MoHT official said the ministry and the Industrial Innovation Centre are working out on these projects to boost the handicrafts sector and add value to tourism.
Alia bint Salem al Hinaiyah, Director of Handicraft Heritage Department at the MoHT, said: “Handcraft heritage has historical, cultural and social importance. Knowledge and skills pass across many generations be it in wood, silver ware, copper ware, perfumes, leather, ceramics or pottery .”
She added that the ministry takes all efforts to document craft heritage for future generations and register some crafts as intangible heritage in UNESCO list. Omani khanjar (dagger) was included in the UNESCO list this year.
Another project in the leather industry aims to provide high quality natural leather to tanners from slaughterhouses in Dhofar and Al Buraimi.
The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism undertakes these projects to maximise investment opportunities and support crafts people.
The MoHT is working on documenting craft industries through a number of publications, including the monthly publication of the Treasures of Craftsmanship Heritage series. Data was also collected for crafts based on palm fronds, copper and silver ware, leather, wood and cotton.
Al Hinaiyah emphasised that the ministry is exerting efforts to support the craft heritage by assisting artisans, implementing studies and inventorying the crafts carried out by the ministry, coming up with recommendations and proposals and coordinating with the Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development to prepare programmes that will strengthen the craft sector. — ONA
The MoHT is also planning to revive Khadarangi cotton, which gives unique brownish fibre. The first phase of the Omani cotton project costing RO 30,000 is under way.
The clothes made out of these cotton were used in ancient times in Oman. Khadarangi cotton was mostly cultivated in Samayil in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, and Al Mudhaibi in Al Sharqiyah North Governorate among other places
A top MoHT official said the ministry and the Industrial Innovation Centre are working out on these projects to boost the handicrafts sector and add value to tourism.
Alia bint Salem al Hinaiyah, Director of Handicraft Heritage Department at the MoHT, said: “Handcraft heritage has historical, cultural and social importance. Knowledge and skills pass across many generations be it in wood, silver ware, copper ware, perfumes, leather, ceramics or pottery .”
She added that the ministry takes all efforts to document craft heritage for future generations and register some crafts as intangible heritage in UNESCO list. Omani khanjar (dagger) was included in the UNESCO list this year.
Another project in the leather industry aims to provide high quality natural leather to tanners from slaughterhouses in Dhofar and Al Buraimi.
The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism undertakes these projects to maximise investment opportunities and support crafts people.
The MoHT is working on documenting craft industries through a number of publications, including the monthly publication of the Treasures of Craftsmanship Heritage series. Data was also collected for crafts based on palm fronds, copper and silver ware, leather, wood and cotton.
Al Hinaiyah emphasised that the ministry is exerting efforts to support the craft heritage by assisting artisans, implementing studies and inventorying the crafts carried out by the ministry, coming up with recommendations and proposals and coordinating with the Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development to prepare programmes that will strengthen the craft sector. — ONA