The Role of Traditional Women’s Fashion in Preserving the Omani Identity

Abstract

The research aims to identify the role of traditional women’s fashion in preserving the popular heritage from extinction and preserving the Omani identity, by examining and evaluating attempts at renewal and innovation in traditional Omani fashion to preserve identity in the era of globalization. The researcher used the descriptive approach “analytical studies”, and data was collected through a questionnaire that included three axes distributed to (300) women distributed over (5) governorates. The most important results were: Preserving traditional fashion is a means that contributes to establishing identity and citizenship among Omani women. 65% of the sample indicated adherence to traditional dress on social occasions and holidays, and 40% of the sample indicated adherence to the traditional abaya with the introduction of innovative decorations on it, and 50% reported their adherence to the traditional Omani national dress to confront the changes of the era and the challenges of the era of globalization, stressing that it represents one of the aspects of the cultural heritage of the governorate and its adherence to the antiquity and authenticity of the Sultanate of Oman. 70% of Omani women confirm that the traditional Omani dress has its own characteristics and elegant appearance, and this is in favor of the age group 40- 50. The most important recommendations are establishing a specialized center or body to display traditional fashions to preserve the valuable tangible heritage and introduce it to new generations, including traditional Omani fashions in the social studies curriculum, and promoting academic research that focuses on promoting the culture of tangible heritage.

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