Mussar

The mussar is a symbolic headpiece worn by Omani gentlemen to complement their traditional ensembles. Woven into the fabrics of Oman’s revered culture, these turbans are embroidered with some of the finest materials that scream heritage and timeless style, serving nothing but head-turning fashions.

Since these crowns occupy a special place in our heats, here are eight things you need to know about them.

1. The headdresses in Oman are quite unique in colour, design, and shape from those of the Gulf countries, offering a variety of intricate patterns inspired by flowers and geometry.

2. They are commonly worn to ceremonies, weddings, and other official events, and are usually paired with a khanjar (daggers)

3. The best ones are handmade using the finest cashmere wool from the Indian state of Kashmir such as Pashmina, Shatoosh and Turma.

4. Based on its quality and production, Omani mussars are considered the most expensive in the Middle East, with a price tag that goes up to OMR2,000 for products made from pashmina wool.

5. Every Governorate in Oman has its own distinctive way of tying the mussar, with notable ones being the popular Muscati (commonly worn by Muscat residents), the elaborate Suri from the town of Sur, and the Dhofari style in the South.

6. Back in the day, these turbans were worn to identify the region a man was from, today they are worn as fashion statements.

7. Bespoke mussars are woven by hand and are almost impossible to imitate the finest details, making them one-of-a-kind collectables.

8. Though tying the mussar is a beautiful art in itself, it can become time-consuming for the busy folks. Some brands offer ‘pre-tied’ headdresses to wear on-the-go.

Omani Designs

Al Siyabi explained that the standards are in place for each type of dishdasha, such as the type of fabric used, the main parts of the dishdasha, as well as other embroideries and requirements, to assure the national attire meets all requirements.

When asked why there were restrictions on the type of fabric used, Al Siyabi said, “The type of fabric is suggested for each type of Omani dishdasha, however, the consumer is free to choose which fabric he wants for his attire. The standardisation of the dishdasha is specific to the design.”

She went on to explain, “For instance, the commonly worn dishdasha was suggested to be made from a cotton base fabric. It is permitted to used a mix of cotton and polyester, as well as wool, and the embroideries are made with cotton strings. The Buriami dishdasha, on the other hand, should be made from cotton, and other fabrics could be used, as long as they’re plain.”

Omani Dishdasha

The Common dishdasha, Buraimi, Abu, Shaq, Suri and Bedouin, are the five types approved by the ministry. Acting on Article Three of Ministerial Decision 270/2015, which states that “it is not permitted to import or design traditional Omani attire or compromise or adjust it, which could harm the Omani identity”, the ministry imposed specific standards that dishdasha tailors must follow.

Nadia Al Siyabi, Head of the Department of Chemical Products Standardisation at the Directorate General of Standardisation and Metrology, MoCI, said that the implementing the standards will “enhance Omani product quality, which increases consumers’ faith in Omani products, as well as tackle the increase in demand, which poses a positive impact on other sectors,” adding that it will “create more job opportunities, raise the living quality of workers, improve trade and contribute to the national economy.”