ALEX STOLL PHOTOGRAPHY

Every Friday morning many Omani farmers converge on the on the town of Nizwa to buy and sell livestock. They come from mostly rural areas in the Al Dakhiliyah region, which covers the northwest corner of Oman. The most common animals traded are goats, sheep, cows and very occasionally donkeys (no, this is not a camel market). 

Men arrive in their trucks very early in the morning (approx 6am) and tend to their animals, getting them primed and ready to be displayed and hopefully sold. After about one hour of preparation, and as the sun begins to rise, the animals are staged and ushered into a small circular ring. They and their owners then begin to slowly walk around and display themselves in front of the prospective buyers (as well as some onlookers i.e. Me).

When a buyer sees an animal that he wants he shouts out his initial bid. The seller then steps aside and negotiates on the spot with the prospective buyer. They then settle on a price between themselves and a sale is made. 

There are many people who attend this market, on the day that myself and my friend attended there were hundreds of trucks parked outside of the souk where the ring is located. With so many people, and livestock, all congregated in this small circle, when the action gets going, it can get quite hectic. Lots of yelling, shouting, squealing, and interesting smells all around. 

After about 9am the buying and selling stops and the market winds down. The buyers load up their haul and the farmers go home with cash in their pockets. The atmosphere around this event is incredible and, from what I have seen, is the best public display of Omani culture that I have come across. 

Oman is a fascinating country that often gets overlooked as it purposely positions itself "under the radar" not only to the greater international community but even locally within the GCC. They make a strong effort to preserve and protect the culture and customs of their people. Nizwa's goat market is a prime example.