Inspired by nature and spurred by the urge to preserve Omani culture and heritage, Said Salim Nassar al Wardi, from Bahla, turns palm fronds into elegant furniture as well as heritage houses and lounges

With choir ropes and wooden dowels, palm frond strips and trellises, he creates some of the most amazing crafts that serve not only as furniture and storage items but also as lounges and dwellings… For Said Salim Nassar al Wardi, a resident of Bahla, recreating Oman’s past with his creative crafts is not just a hobby but also an obsession.

Wardi says, he was inspired by the old houses made of palm fronds that dotted Oman’s vast coastline and dwelling areas in the deserts in the past. “My project, Al Drwaza, deals with the construction of traditional resorts, lounges and rest houses made of wood and palm fronds, all done in an elegant way with a modern touch.”

Wardi’s Al Drwaza project is one of the examples of a success story inspired by Omani heritage. In creating his palm frond crafts, he not only draws fulfillment but also does his bit in keeping old traditions alive. Use of palm fronds for building houses and boats/dhows had been prevalent in Oman since the days of yore among the seafaring population.

“In 2016, we opened a factory on an area of more than 10,000sqm in Barka. After the initial success, we expanded with six branches in the wilayats of Bahla, Nizwa, al Hamra, al Kamil Wa al Wafi, Shinas and Sohar. We make complete rooms, umbrellas, chairs, and other furniture from palm fronds which are treated with natural materials to reinforce it and extend its life.”

Wardi informed that he has participated in many festivals, such as the Muscat Festival and the Dates Festival, to display his products which are highly admired by tourists.

“I have traveled to many countries, including China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Pakistan to gain experience and develop our products.”

Talking about the challenges he faced in setting up the project, he said, “Cyclone Shaheen and COVID-19 posed major challenges for me, and collecting the pieces of palm fronds was not easy. It took a lot of time, effort and money, but with patience and determination I was able to continue the business.

“Some pieces take a month and others take six months to be completed,” he said, adding, “The project aims to spread cultural awareness among members of the society, promote domestic tourism, and preserve authentic Omani traditions.”

Wardi, who is soon planning to develop products for the export market in neighbouring countries, has called on Omani youth to develop their traditional Omani products in line with current demands.

“Follow your passion, be innovative and do not copy ideas and projects of others,” he asserts.