Oman is more than oil, frankincense and sheiks, we find out at an exhibition in Amsterdam. Two seafaring nations meet each other.

Like the Netherlands, Oman has a rich, water-faring history with trade at the heart of its culture. A new exhibition at the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam’s Dam Square has brought together over 250 artefacts to shed light on daily life in this ancient Arabic culture. Running until April next year, the show aims to reveal how the Gulf state, famous for its opulent sultans, delicious dates and oil has been both outward looking and yet traditional throughout its long history.

Listen to Luitgard Mols, an expert in Islamic art and guest curator for the show.

“We want to portray two different sides of Oman. One a very open side, open towards other influences from the outside because Oman is located by the sea. At the same time we would like to show that it’s also a very traditional society with very traditional, local artefacts and objects.”

To achieve this aim, Dr Mols has brought together objects from the country's various art institutions to celebrate its rich and fascinating culture.

Trade history
A range of showcases lead the visitor through every aspect of daily life, from jewellery to furniture, archaeological finds, pottery and clothing. Ornate, finely crafted and beautiful, the materials used reveal as much about Oman’s trading history as they do about the local aesthetic.

Its long stretch of coastline along the Arabian Sea has defined that history. Its people have always lived off the sea, whether through fishing or trade. Much like the Netherlands, boats and ships lie at the heart of its culture. Today the main port in Oman, Sohar, is being developed in cooperation with Rotterdam harbour.

That link with sea trade runs through the exhibition. One cabinet displays necklaces made from shells found by the coast, decorated with beads imported from India. Another shows copper spearheads, forged from the copper mines that formed the backbone of international trade. The region has also been long known for its high quality frankincense, an aromatic tree resin that also sits squarely at the core of Omani culture – and export.

(Photos: Paddy Maguire)
 

Aromatic resin
Used in Oman since 2000 BC, frankincense was used in the home as way of keeping clothes fresh or to tell guests that the time had come for them to leave without needing to say a word. It was also in demand from abroad. The Romans used it as an integral part of their burial ceremonies and the resin remains a key part of Catholic ceremonies. Such was the demand for frankincense that South Oman, where the trees grow, became hugely wealthy as a result. Dr Mols says that the resin is as common now as ever.

“Even today you still see that frankincense is used on a daily basis. For example men, before they leave the house for a special occasion, they will open their sleeves and let the smoke go through their clothing. Also every ‘dishdasha’, the white clothing that Omani men wear, has a little tassel near the neck - and they perfume this. Omani people are very much into frankincense and smelling good.”

Rich heritage
Oman and the Netherlands began their trading relations back in the 17th century. Maps drawn up by merchant ships illustrate how these two seafaring nations came together with the common goal of profiting from their natural resources and international demand for them. But relations are not exclusively based on financial gain.

Just recently there was a successful exhibition of Rembrandt’s engravings in Oman. Dr Mols says that what this exhibition shows about daily life in Oman, was mirrored there.

“Of course that’s a different type of exhibition. But it’s also 17th century. Here we see 17th-century Omani objects. There they saw our Dutch painter, 17th-century Rembrandt. I think this is a nice exchange. They learned about our heritage, and we, hopefully, may now know more about theirs.”

Oman at Amsterdam’s Nieuwe Kerk is open until 18 April 2010.
 

For more information go to:
www.nieuwekerk.nl