Al Badawi: 70 years of promoting weaving industry
THERE ARE MANY craftsmen in Samad Al Shan in the Wilayat of Al Mudhaibi who practice various crafts and have dedicated places that support these crafts to stay alive. The most important of these crafts is weaving. Many of these products are exhibited in souqs and shops and as a way, supports these craftsmen to increase their income and also to revive these crafts and preserve them for the next generations.
Adum al Badawi, one of the prominent craftsmen said: “I started working in the textile industry in 1951 when I was 15 years old at that time. Our ancestors practised weaving for 200 years.”
“It was never easy to learn this profession, as it required time, patience and capabilities, and in the past, the necessary tools were not available as at the present time, but despite that, we continued in this field. I currently have a special factory for this whole work in the Wilayat of Al Mudhaibi with different tools, even the traditional tools’’, he said.
He explained that the weaving machine called “Al-karjah” is made from the two Sidr trees or Al Qart, and these trees are abundant in the Wilayat of Al Mudhaibi, especially in the village of Al Rawdha.
He indicated that the textiles that he manufactures are Al Busaidi turban, various other types of turbans, cloths, Omani wizar. The price of each of these industries differs from the other as it could reach RO 100 depending on the material it is made from. the price of the “wizar” reaches RO 25, depending on the size and the material of the threads made of them, as well as the colours and their formations.
“We participate in many exhibitions held for craftsmen, where I had many participations in the Sultanate and the Gulf countries and was asked to participate in some European countries as well”, Al Badawi added, while these participations played well at promoting the industry and also for his products.
“The government has its share in promoting for us as well. It allows us to exhibit our products in shops and also invites us to participate in the exhibition, whether inside or outside the Sultanate. It also supports us by providing tools for free’’, he added.