Page 162 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

VIII.] TRAVELS IN OMAN. 123

to that adopted in India, from whence they
appear at a very late period to have borrowed

it, as none was made at Maskat in 1760,

when Niebuhr visited it. The best ulwah in
Arabia is obtained at this town. They also
make a few copper pots, and there are some

workers in gold and silver, but not having
many artisans of any description, all their

other manufactured commodities arrive from
Maskat. I must not, however, omit to men­

tion that a considerable quantity of cloth and
some good mats are fabricated from the

rushes which grow on the borders of the
streams. Preparing cotton in the yarn is

the principal occupation of the females. In
the cool season they may be perceived

coming out from beneath the groves with
their spindles after breakfast, to enjoy the

warmth of the sun’s rays. The men alone
attend the looms. Besides mats the females

manufacture some pretty baskets from the
rushes. The former serve them to sleep on,

and the latter they carry with them to
market to deposit their purchases in. A

great many camolines are fabricated here,
and also brought from Nejd. The best,