Memories of Mutrah: From a fishing village to a vibrant city

MUSCAT: Mutrah, a melting pot where people of all nationalities and cultures blend, has been brought to life in a new book: ‘Memories of Mutrah Oman, Fishing Village to Vibrant City.’

Maxine Burden, an Australian citizen born in Tasmania, had the opportunity to travel and spend over ten years in the Sultanate of Oman.

This new book reveals further secrets, culture and adventures of Mutrah Souq. The book, which documents the rich heritage , unique characters and cherished memories of the people of Mutrah Souq, is available in two versions. The print version is rich with photographs as well as the stories of the merchants, whilst the e-book contains only the stories of merchants and very few photographs.

Overview

“Memories of Mutrah, Oman: Fishing Village to Vibrant City” brings forth the fishing background of the villages of Sur on the East Coast of Oman, and Mutrah. Sur is where the trading ships from India would sail during the monsoon season before sailing onto Zanzibar on the East Coast of Africa. Fishing was always the lifeline for local inhabitants along the coast of Oman. Today fishing is still a main export as freezer loads are driven daily from villages to Dubai to sell. A wadi forms the main alleyway of the market area known as Mutrah Souq. Dating as far back as 600 years the local inhabitants have gathered here to exchange news, reflect on the health of their families, and purchase food and living requirements from this traditional marketplace. The first shops were built in the souq around 300 years ago. They were small with shelves for displaying goods and had no roof.

The souq was a functional souq back then. Shops sold rat traps, brushes, ropes, foodstuffs, and fish along with traditional Omani fabrics from India. Today, Mutrah is a vibrant city, still catering to the local population as it has over the centuries while retaining the feel of a small fishing village. Mutrah is also a popular tourist destination offering the wonders of a traditional souq along with a new fish and vegetable market complex, featuring restaurants and cafés. The Mutrah Fort has undergone renovations allowing visitors to walk up the many steps and take in the scenic view over the port and Mutrah city.

Description

“Memories of Mutrah, Oman: Fishing Village to Vibrant City” relates to the memories of the merchants of Mutrah souq, their family life, and history as passed down from generation to generation. They tell of the good and the not-so-good times.

Mutrah was a happy, lively place where the local inhabitants would gather to purchase food and living requirements from this 600-yearold traditional marketplace. Their purchases were made from large wheelbarrows with a tray, these would move around to different locations each day. The lifeline for the small villages was fishing and trading dates.

Many families from the coastal towns of Sur and Mutrah were traders, trading with the monsoons from India to Sur and onwards to Zanzibar in East Africa. Fathers would take their young sons along teaching them the maritime and navigation trade. Two of these sons became some of Oman’s top Entrepreneurs and visionaries, each heading a business empire.

Today, Mutrah is a vibrant city still providing for the people as it has over the centuries while retaining the feel of a small fishing village with an active fish market and a very popular souq. On the arrival of the late Sultan Qaboos in Muscat in 1970, the development plans of his father were put forward, making Muscat the capital.

He also set out plans for his ‘Muscat Capital Area’ consisting of joining Mutrah and the main port area to Muscat via a corniche, built with cement imported from India.

Souq

Port Sultan Qaboos is a tourism port, welcoming the many cruise ships that visit Oman during the main tourist season from October to March. Mutrah Souq sells original artifacts of silver jewellery, fabrics, khanjars (ceremonial swords), frankincense, perfumes, and basic kitchenware. Original Omani designs in silver and gold still exist and feature an Omani imprint, proving their authenticity.

The Late Sultan Qaboos bin Said bin Taimour brought the whole country into the twenty-first century by providing healthcare, education, housing, and infrastructure for all. As a center of trade, Mutrah has always been a melting pot of nationalities and cultures, making this city unique.

About The Author

Maxine Burden is an Australian citizen, born in Tasmania, who’s had the opportunity to travel and spend over ten years in the Sultanate of Oman. Travel has always been an enjoyable part of her life and working in the travel industry in Western Australia as a Master Cruise Specialist, she’s been able to fulfill a dream of traveling and guiding clients to various countries of the world. Maxine has been in print previously with Asian magazines requiring short stories about Australia.

In December 2014 her first book on Mutrah, Oman, “Throw Down the Anchor: The Story of Mutrah Souq,” was released. The book was written for the Centre for Omani Dress while Maxine was a volunteer with this group in Muscat. Today Maxine resides in Tasmania on a lifestyle property.

It is here that she wrote her second book. She undertakes volunteer work with the Burnie City Council informing and assisting cruise ship visitors who visit throughout the season from October to April. As a tour guide, Maxine also guides coach tours from visiting cruise ships to various parts of the Northwest Coast of Tasmania. She also has plans to author more books about her travels throughout the world over the last twenty years.

This new book will be available through:https://store.bookbaby.com/ book/memories-of-mutrah-oman