Muscat – The National Museum is participating in the digital exhibition ‘The Table is Ready: Food Traditions and Legacies in the Islamic World,’ launched on the Islamic Art page of the ‘Museum Without Borders’ website. This initiative is part of a series of digital exhibitions presented by the museum, aimed at promoting Omani cultural heritage on a global scale.

The exhibition features a collection of artefacts that reflect Oman’s rich traditions of hospitality and generosity. Among the highlights are Omani copperware, one of the country’s oldest traditional crafts, used in food preparation and serving. The collection includes copper pots for cooking rice, wheat, and dates, as well as hospitality tools such as the siniya, a serving tray for Omani coffee, and the sahla, a circular handwashing vessel with intricate engravings.

Visitors to the digital exhibition can also explore bukhoor containers, used to store frankincense and incense, and the dallah, the traditional Omani coffee pot known for its elegant design. Arabic coffee, an essential element of Omani hospitality, is recognised by UNESCO as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage. The exhibition further highlights the use of perfume, incense burners, and marash, a rose water sprinkler used to refresh guests’ hands, underscoring Oman’s deep-rooted hospitality customs.

A key advantage of this digital exhibition is its accessibility, allowing audiences from across the world to engage with Oman’s cultural heritage regardless of location or financial constraints. The format also eliminates the logistical challenges of transporting and preserving fragile artefacts while offering viewers the ability to zoom in on images for a closer examination of details.

Museum Without Borders is an innovative digital platform that provides cultural and educational experiences from around the world. By leveraging modern technology, it enables users to explore diverse artistic and historical collections, fostering cultural understanding and communication without the need for physical travel.

Through this collaboration, the National Museum continues its mission to preserve and share Oman’s heritage with a global audience, ensuring that its traditions remain accessible for generations to come.