In South of Doha-Qatar, specifically next to the vegetable central market, there is a traditional market Known to the Qataris' people by Omani's or Omani Souk. The reason for this called is, when it established from nearly 30 years ago the most worker there from Oman. However, now many nationalities whichbecame sellers and stalls owners are Bengali and Omani you may rarely seen. Additionally, it dedicated to sale of seedlings, flowers and everything related to natural plants received from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain,Oman, Syria, Tunisia, Holland, Thailand and some other countries. Beside that a lot of Omanis' products on sale at appropriate prices.
Many people in Qatar and Gulf, as well tourists and traders go to Omani souk and, they are looking to variety products. Also, there are several sections for sale of handicrafts such as: hand fans" Almhfat", chairs and tables made ofbamboo. In addition, seedlings for instance: palm, tomatoes, lemon, banana treesand seasonal flowers. As well as, there are dates, all kind of fruits and vegetables,stockfish and dried shrimp. There are also other goods such as: spices, black lemon, coffee, cattle and sheep margarine, pottery, chimneys, coal and "Shisha". Likewise, there are products not available outside, for example: truffles arecoming from Algeria and Libya, as there is one cafeteria, and free water in the west of the Omani souk.
In Qatar, the Omani souk is the most famous market to sale truffles and it is the only one. Truffles, is seasonal wild-mushroom grows in the desert after rainfall, and it is one of the best food for Gulfs' people. It is not sold in the whole year, but it is sold only in the winter. The souk is depending on truffles that come from out board from Libya and Algeria because it provides the truffles all seasons. However, Gulf truffles in Gulf region are few, little, and only in winter season. The prices are different in Omani souk than street vendors. And there are no fixed prices to sale truffles so; people can negotiate the prices with sellers.
The differences between Omani souk and other markets are facilities, low prices, negotiate with sellers which make easier for people to shop and satisfaction for customer. According to Mohammed Ali a Bengali seller, he said:“People loved come to Omani souk because they searching for products are cheap prices with high quality and they can shop by car easily.”
Omani souk is the only souk that provides product from Oman such as:salted fish, Omani vacuum, and Arabian perfume. According to Um-Hamad a permanently customer at Omani souk she comes from Oman said that: "When I came to Omani souk, I found every thing from Oman. I thought this souk wascommunity for Omani people in Qatar and I felt like I was in Oman, not only in Qatar”.
Qatari people like to shop in Omani souk especially the elderly. The elderlyare more interested to shop in Omani souk because it’s provide older people traditional items which they don’t find that in other places, meeting friends, easier way to buy by car. According to Abdalaziz Mubarak a seller at Omani souk said: “The elderly are the most people who come to Omani souk rather than young people especially women they come to buy “ bazaar” which is used for Gulf cooking. In the morning the souk is crowded by Gulf women”.
The Omani souk is always crowded, the people come from morning until evening and they are like to buy from there rather than another souk. Moreover, they come to Omani souk for a walk, enjoy the weather, and look for traditional things inside souk and eating at small restaurant. Abdul-Aziz Mubarak trader and seller at Omani souk said that: “People in Qatar love to buy from Omani souk because they feel comfortable when shopping by car. It is fully by people every dayespecially in winter is the most crowded season at Omani souk.”
Likewise, Omani souk is more related to culture, and traditional rather than shopping. Foreign people are interested visit the Omani souk because it is old building, old generation people, old generation, and old items such as: handmade that foreign people would like to visit. According to European women said “I love to come to Omani souk. Because, I see old tradition things are very difficult to find in Doha. I prefer the shopping here than someone else because, it is mixture of heritage, fresh food, culture.
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