Ramadhan, the most important month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is when Muslims worldwide abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. It is the time of reflection and spirituality, charitable giving, and abstemiousness.
At the same time, every Muslim country has its unique traditions when it comes to celebrations. In the Sultanate of Oman, the most vibrant and lively places for citizens and residents to experience during the period are the traditional souqs that spring up all across the country.
Holding the country's cultural legacy, the pulsating souqs in the country hold a significant role as far as the shopping during the month is considered.
Unlike the previous two years when Ramadhan and Eid shopping was done online due to the Covid-19 pandemic and precautionary measures like lockdowns, shopping this year done physically and has reached its peak. Both traditional markets and shopping malls open until late hours.
The last week of Ramadhan is always quite busy. While women shop for ornaments, clothes bags, perfumes, and household accessories, men usually look for kummahs, perfumes, walking sticks, khanjars and traditional handicrafts.
"Ramadhan shopping usually starts after the noon prayer and ends around midnight. Shopping centres are always busy and crowded during the period because people are looking for Eid clothing as well as gifts to give to their family," said Mubarak al Wahaibi in Ruwi.
He said shopping is not complete without a trip to traditional markets.
"These places have a different feel to it. We always ensure that we visit other souqs like the one in Seeb Muttrah Souq has a charm of its own", he said
Although malls and shopping complexes offer a variety of shopping experiences, people in Sultanate of Oman love to visit the traditional shopping places, including the seasonal habta markets held in all the governorates.
Muttrah Souq in Muscat is one of the oldest markets and a symbol of the country's old-world charm. This beautiful open market caters to all the needs during festivals.
The small lanes in the centuries-old souq are packed with local craftsmanship that will likely blow the visitors away. Boutique stores sell everything from jewellery, rugs, clothing, pots and even silverware.
Apart from its stocks of Incense and antiques, elegant gold and silver jewellery, it has a large number of abaya and dishdasha stores, and small and big shops selling just about everything from food to clothes.
Dates which are traditionally used to break one's fast, traditional souqs are the better places to shop for them. The dates available vary in colour, size, ripeness and sweetness.
"These markets not only help preserve the traditions but also take them forward", said Hamed al Lawati, a bank employee, who was a resident of the area till a few years back.
Eid Habta is another ancient legacy that has been preserved by successive generations. These markets, on open spaces or under the shade of palm trees or near castles and forts, are held in all governorates and wilayats and begin 10 days before the Eid and continue until the day before the Eid.
Habta markets witness huge turnout of citizens, residents and tourists. The Habitat markets in all governorates and wilayats begin 10 days before the Eid and continue until the day before the Eid.
Many people move from one Habta to another in the nearby wilayats to search their markets for the best, especially from live meat or to enjoy the atmosphere associated with Habta, such as the sale of sheep, cows and camels at auction.
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