Muscat – The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has launched a documentary film titled Treasures of Omani Craft Heritage, highlighting traditional crafts and the role they play in preserving the country’s cultural identity.

The film was launched on Sunday under the patronage of H E Sayyid Ibrahim bin Said Al Busaidi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism.

The documentary explores a range of traditional crafts practised across Oman, showcasing their artistic and practical value while documenting skills passed down through generations. Featured crafts include palm-frond weaving, metalwork, pottery, woodworking, mat making, stone and gypsum work, wool and cotton weaving, plasterwork, and carpentry.

According to the ministry, the film aims to document traditional crafts, preserve associated knowledge and techniques, and raise awareness of their cultural significance. It also seeks to highlight crafts facing declining numbers of practitioners and encourage efforts to safeguard them.

The documentary records different stages of production, from sourcing raw materials to the use of traditional tools and inherited methods. It is also intended to serve as a reference for researchers and heritage specialists while encouraging craftsmen to balance authenticity with contemporary market needs.

Speaking at the launch, Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Amri, Head of the Craft Development Studies Department at the ministry, said the film reflects ongoing efforts to preserve Omani craft heritage and the values embedded within it.

“Treasures of Omani Craft Heritage embodies the ministry’s commitment to preserving Omani craft heritage and the cultural, civilisational and human values it carries. It reflects the authenticity of Omani identity and the knowledge and skills that have been passed down through generations,” Al Amri said.

He added that the project forms part of wider initiatives to document traditional crafts and present them through modern formats that strengthen their cultural and tourism appeal in Oman and abroad.

The launch ceremony also featured two research presentations.

The first examined white soil, or kaolin clay, in Oman. Presented jointly by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and the Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development, the study outlined the material’s economic value, environmental impact and distribution across the sultanate. Dr Mohammed bin Hilal Al Kindi discussed its characteristics and potential applications.

The second presentation focused on the Omani hackberry tree. Dr Ali bin Obaid Al Adawi, Director of the Department of Agricultural Research in North Batinah, described the species as a valuable part of Oman’s natural and cultural heritage.

He noted that the tree’s durable wood has historically been used in castles, forts, traditional markets, weapon handles and other wooden products. Found in areas including Wadi Al Sahtan, Wadi Bani Ghafir and Wadi Al Nakhr, the tree is closely linked to Oman’s heritage landscape.

Al Adawi said an initiative to plant more hackberry trees could support heritage preservation, ecotourism, investment opportunities and efforts to reduce carbon emissions.