MASIRAH: The Wilayat of Masirah in Al Sharqiyah South Governorate is currently celebrating the Masirah Winter Festival 2026, held under the theme 'Masirah Gathers Us'. The event brings together traditional maritime arts, sports activities, entertainment performances, productive families, artisanal crafts, traditional cuisine and various competitions.
The Masirah Winter Festival showcases artistic and cultural displays that represent an integrated developmental and cultural model. This model aims to strengthen national identity, stimulate domestic tourism and support the local economy.
The Wilayat of Masirah is distinguished by its intangible cultural heritage, particularly in the fields of diverse ancient traditional handicrafts. Most notable among these are the spinning and weaving industries and the manufacture of traditional kohl. These crafts contribute significantly to documenting and preserving traditional cultures while encouraging creative Omani skills.
The spinning and weaving industry, which continues to be practiced today, relies on animal hides and wool. The process of hand-weaving textiles takes approximately 14 days, beginning with shearing wool from goats and sheep, followed by washing and spreading the wool. This is followed by the twisting and spinning process; some threads may require dyeing in different colours to decorate and shape the textiles with vibrant hues.
The festival's organising committee was keen to allocate sections for productive families and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This highlights the vital role undertaken by the SMEs Development Authority “Riyada” in Al Sharqiyah South in supporting entrepreneurs, empowering their projects, marketing their products, and creating sustainable economic opportunities that contribute to professional stability and local income.
Total participation in the festival reached 113 participants, including 53 male and female artisans, in addition to 20 home-based business licences. These figures reflect the high level of community engagement and confirm the festival's positive impact in enhancing the participation of business owners in national events and revitalising local commercial activity.
It is worth noting that the Masirah Winter Festival is a qualitative addition to seasonal events. It highlights the tourism and economic potential of the wilayat and contributes to strengthening its position as a promising winter tourism destination by attracting visitors of all ages and providing an integrated experience that meets the aspirations of families and tourists in an attractive winter atmosphere. - ONA
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