MINSK, 12 September (BelTA) – The exhibition “Oman: the Jewel of the East. Crafts Heritage” from the collection of the National Museum of the Sultanate of Oman will go on display in the National Art Museum of Belarus on 19 September, BelTA learned from Yekaterina Dasko, manager of the project, junior researcher of the department of Russian and foreign art of the museum.
The National Museum of the Sultanate of Oman is a distinguished guest at events timed to the 80th anniversary of the National Art Museum of Belarus.
The exhibition will feature over a hundred items from the National Museum of the Sultanate of Oman which will demonstrate the works of local craftsmen and tell visitors about Oman's culture, customs, and traditions.
“The crafts heritage of this country reflects the nation's culture, its past and present, the way of life and national character, which includes the common Islam faith, the diversity of cultures existing side by side, hospitality, generosity, and unity,” Yekaterina Dasko said. The exhibition will showcase traditional tableware for serving food and famous Omani coffee and other items necessary for the ancient ritual of welcoming guests.
One of traditional crafts commonly found in small villages in the east of the Al Hajar Mountains is weaving. The exhibition will display traditional carpets from camel wool and other items made by local artisans. Various censers and rose water sprinklers will introduce visitors to the culture of scent.
Yekaterina Dasko noted that the exhibition will also feature khanjars, traditional Omani daggers. “Making these daggers is one of the most complex Omani crafts as it involves work with steel, wood, horn, fabric, skin, and silver,” she said. “A khanjar consists of a hilt, a blade, a sheath, and a belt. All elements are made separately and then are assembled to create a single composition.”
The exhibition will also display traditional costumes, jewelery, ceremonial weapons, and other handicrafts. These items not only serve various purposes but also reflect individual and common values of the Omani people.
The exhibition will be on view till 19 January.
The National Museum of the Sultanate of Oman was founded in 2013. It is the largest cultural institution of the Sultanate of Oman which demonstrates the national heritage spanning from the earliest settlement in the territory of Oman (around 2 million years ago) and until the present day. The museum is situated in the heart of Oman's capital Muscat. The total area of its building is 13,700 m2. Out of this, 4,000 m2 is allocated for 14 permanent expositions and over 400 m2 for temporary exhibitions.
