Tuesday 29 / April / 2025
An integral part of Omani culture for those who hail from Al Sharqiyah, the Sinaw camel souq, has long attracted visitors from across the country. Although the camel has often been referred to as the ship of the desert, these famed beasts are of immeasurable value to Omani and Arab households. While many do use the camel as a beast of burden, or for its milk and meat, the most prized camels are those that enter the traditional Arabian camel races that are held not just in Oman, but across the region.
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A day at the souq
A prized racing camel can fetch up to thousands of Omani Rials, and feature specimens that are only bred from the finest stock. The camel market takes place every Friday at the Sinaw Souq, which is located on the very edge of the Sharqiyah Sands, with the town about a two-hour drive away from Muscat.
Although this bazaar is normally visited by Bedouins, who come from across the Sharqiyah and other nearby governorates to buy and sell their goods, it is often frequented by tourists and foreign nationals in the country to witness Omani cultures and traditions, with markets such as this being a staple of Arab culture for millennia.
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Other attraction
While the camel market does take place on Fridays, another open-air cultural attraction that is part of the way of life in Oman is the Sinaw Thursday market, where staples such as livestock and handicrafts are often bought and sold between members of the community.
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