I experienced twice the Friday Goat Market in Nizwa: in 2014 and in 2022. This is a unique experience, and one of the most vibrant markets I have ever experienced in all my trips (a few years back, I ranked it as second best market I have ever attended in Africa, Asia, the Middle East or South America…)
This is what we wrote back in 2014, and except the face masks due to the Covid-19 pandemic, nothing had changed 8 years later: “Even before the selling began, the round podium in the center of the roofed-in arena was filled with men dressed in white Dishdasha, looking elegant and important. A sudden noise of shuffling feet announced the selling and the crowd of humans and animals in the circle started moving. Soon the noise increased, as the men were calling out the price and touting the qualities of the goats, which they were dragging or carrying around this base…”
Enclosed a selection of the best pictures from both visits… Note that in 2022, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, everyone on the had to wear a face mask! Plus a short video footage of the actual selling of the goats!
Nizwa Goat & Cattle Market in 2014
Nizwa Goat & Cattle Market in 2022
Nizwa Goat & Cattle Market in 2022
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