Muscat – A wave of foreign imitations and alternative styles has prompted Oman to take tough action to preserve its unique national dress, threatening hefty fines on those who tamper with the traditional dress of Omani men. The traditional attire includes the kummah (cap) and dishdasha, the long, elegant robe.

Omani men wear the embroidered brimless kummah or a turban-style headdress, known as mussar, to complete their outfit. The striking ensemble is a distinctive part of life in Oman.

Recently, H E Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP), issued Ministerial Decision No 21/2022 specifying a standard for the kummah and stating that a fine will be awarded to those who breach the specification.

Article 1 of the decision states that ‘Standard Specification No OS1646/2021’ is set as the obligatory criteria for making Omani kummahs.

Article 2 stipulates a fine of RO1,000 to violators of the provisions of the decision and doubles the fine in case of repetition of the offence.

Article 3 states that the decision will be enforced from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

The decision is intended to safeguard the kummah industry.

According to MoCIIP, the design of the dishdasha is based on ‘certain criteria’. It stipulated that it should be made mostly of cotton with embroidery only on the collar, front slit and cuffs. “The fabric must be of a single colour,” a ministry official told AFP, adding that white or neutral colours were preferred.

A person or manufacturer caught violating the specifications will be fined RO1,000 or double that in the case of a repeat violation.

While similar ankle-length robes are worn by men in neighbouring countries, Oman’s dishdasha is distinguished by its subtle embroidery around the neckline (mahar), which continues down a front central slit (shaq) over the chest.

‘Personal freedom’

Some respondents in Muscat observed that while the recent announcement can be considered an infringement on personal freedom, they understood the need to preserve national identity. “The decision may be good to set certain standards but interferes with personal freedom,” said Ouahib al Jadidi, a 36-year-old entrepreneur. “There are men who want to wear dishdashas that match their own tastes, but this ruling will prevent them from doing so.”

Nabegh al Qarni, who owns a store that sells dishdashas and accessories for men, said modifications to the traditional dress had become noticeable.

“Among the most notable changes are the shortening of the robe and larger patterns and embroidery,” the 35-year-old told AFP.

“We have also seen different colours of dishdasha, instead of the traditional white, brown or black,” he said, adding that Omani society, especially the older generation, is averse to this kind of change.

The effort to preserve Omani culture in the face of evolving tastes comes as the country grapples with social and economic change, introducing measures to attract foreign investment as it attempts to reduce its reliance on oil.

These have included developing its tourism industry, as well as issuing long-term residence permits for foreigners – who make up 40 per cent of its 4.5n population – while reserving certain jobs for citizens.

(With inputs from AFP)