Stamps to showcase ‘Al Ardah’, Oman’s traditional art of horse and camel taming

Under the patronage of Royal Court Affairs, Oman Post, an Asyad Group member company, launched eight stamps to showcase one of the Sultanate’s most celebrated forms of folklore, ‘Al Ardah’ -- traditional art of horse and camel taming. The new stamp collection celebrates inscribing the centuries-long tradition on the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Abdulmalik Albalushi from Oman Post said, “We would like to thank the Royal Court Affairs for their sponsorship and support to bring this collection of stamps to life.  We are always exploring and looking at ways to foster greater expression and presence of Omani folklore, building on traditions of the past and ensuring these forms of art are celebrated and passed along through generations to come.”

The stamps feature ‘Al Ardah’ day, meaning the ‘day of the festival’ in Arabic, people gather around the racecourse to watch shows by horse and camel riders that reflect their taming skills. Traditional arts such as ‘Hanbal’, a singing group routine of horse and camel riders entering the ‘Ardah’ field, as well as reciting of poems usually accompany the festivities. This art is associated with many social occasions in Omani society and is an integral part of Omani culture reflecting people’s devotion to the care of animals.

Offering an augmented reality experience through the Oman Stamp App available on Google Play or Apple Store, the stamps pays homage to time-honored traditions. They can now be reserved by emailing Oman Post on: [email protected]. Furthermore, by scanning the stamps on their smartphones, customers can experience true Omani folklore through a video portraying this much cherished tradition.