Eid traditions bring cheer to craftspeople, economy

Eid, in Oman, is not merely a religious and social occasion; it also revitalises traditional markets and local industries.
The Eid delicacies like Shuwa, for example, is not just a meal, but a social ritual shared by families and neighbours, which increases the demand for special items like Khasfa.
In a corner of Nizwa market, this handicraft made from palm fronds is experiencing a seasonal revival that brings renewed attention to traditional crafts and their role in supporting the income of some crafts people.
Khalifa al Rashidi, who plies this craft in Nizwa traditional market and Nizwa fort, said, “The Khasfa is a part of preparing the barbecue in the traditional Omani way, which people are keen to prepare on the third day of Eid and called it Shuwa, so the Eid season becomes a season that I am looking forward every year.” Al Rashidi pointed out that demand begins about 10 days before the Eid, while craftsmen make them at any time during the year, because preparing them requires time and patience.
Yaqoob al Sabahi, seller of knives, meat cutting tools, and cooking utensils in Nizwa,said that demand increases significantly during the Eid season.'Sales increase by approximately 50 per cent compared to regular days, as we supply large quantities to commercial shops and online businesses.'
Meat is a staple dish throughout the Eid days, which can last more than three days in some Wilayats of the Sultanate of Oman. Omanis, therefore, have a refined taste for meat marinades.
At Al Karama Mill that is located in Nizwa, the aroma of spices wafts from the spice bags that customers used to buy as Eid approaches.
“The inherited Omani customs, especially those related to the Eid barbecue rituals, contribute to increasing the demand for spices. People come to buy Eid spices to prepare their favorite barbecue mix, so we prepare well for the Eid season. Eid is not just an occasion, but a work season that we are looking forward to every year,” Bader al Ghatrifi, the owner of Al Karama Mill, said

Al Ghatrifi noted that people begin purchasing spices at the beginning of the second half of Ramadhan, while others buy a few days before Eid, and demand may even continue during the Eid days. 'The most requested spices during this period are black pepper, turmeric, cinnamon, crushed pepper, as well as date vinegar and fresh garlic — the ingredients used in preparing barbecue spice mix. Most customers prefer to buy the ingredients separately to mix them themselves, preserving the flavor they are accustomed to at their homes.'
Omani halwa, is a symbol of hospitality that is ever-present in Omani homes during celebrations, is a driving force of the local economy. The Omani Hallwa maker, Ahmed Al Ghatrifi, said pots of halwa with flavours of cardamom, and saffron, slowly simmering over a low flame is a familiar and loved custom and important part of Eid across the Sultanate of Oman's governorates.
'With Eid approaching, the demand for halwa increases supporting small factories and productive families who rely on this season to offset a large part of their annual income,' he explained.
Some producers double their working hours before Eid to meet the increased demand, in a scene that reflects how the social occasion turns into an economic opportunity.
He pointed out that, “We start the preparations a few days before the Eid, as the peak buying is usually during the three days preceding the Eid, where people buy Omani Hallwa for guests or to give as gifts. Eid represents an important source of income for us and helps productive families enhance their income.” The festive atmosphere of Eid is incomplete without incense, frankincense, and perfumes, used to scent clothes, homes, and welcome guests. These products, in turn, support local merchants who rely on Eid seasons to boost their sales.
Aisha Al Mandhiri, who makes incense in her home in Nizwa, said, “Pleasant scents are part of the Eid's joy in Omani society because it is linked to our hospitality and therefore we notice a clear increase in demand for incense as this occasion approaches.”
At a time when the pace of modern consumption is accelerating, the Eid remains a testament to the ability of inherited traditions to stimulate the market, preserve the presence of local industries, and strengthen the community's connection to its traditional production, ensuring that the Eid remains an occasion for joy and for boosting the economy as well.