Eid Habta heritage preserved by successive generations in Oman

Muscat: Eid Habta is an ancient legacy in the Sultanate. Traditional markets are held on the occasion of Eid on open spaces or under the shade of palm trees, mangoes, Ghaf, or near castles and forts. There is a high demand for Habta from citizens, residents and tourists.
Al Habta begins in all governorates of the Sultanate 10 days before the Eid and lasts until one day before Eid.
The date of Eid Habta will be in the various governorates of the Sultanate from 24th to 29th of the holy month of Ramadan. The first Habta is held in the wilayats of Wadi Bani Khalid, and Ibra in the Governorate of North A'Sharqiyah, the Wilayat of Bausher in the Governorate of Muscat, and Fanja in the Wilayat of Bidbid in the Governorate of A'Dakhiliyah. Four consecutive Habta take place in the Wilayat of Wadi Bani Khalid, starting in Al Khalidiyah village, then Umq, Al Masalaha Market and Al Hawairiyyah and continue to 27th of Ramadan.
Al Thabti village begins the three Habta of the Wilayat of Ibra, followed by Al Yahmadi on 25th Ramadan and A'Safalah on the 26th of Ramadan. On the 25th of Ramadan, the Habta of the Wilayat of Al Hamra and Nafaa in the Wilayat of Bidbid.
On the 26th of Ramadan, Habtat are held in the wilayats of A 'Rustaq, Sumail (Suroor), Sur, Wadi Al Ma'awel, Bidiyah, Al Khabourah, Al Muntarib in the Wilayat of Bidiyah. On 27th of Ramadan, the Habta takes place in the wilayats of Ja'alan Bani Bu Ali, A'Suwaiq, Bahla, Barka, Ja'alan Bani Bu Hassan, Nakhal, A'Seeb, Al Wasel village in Wilayat Al Qabil. On 28th of Ramadan, Habta takes place in the wilayats of Al Kamil Wa Al Wafi and Al Qabil.
There is a fixed timing for most of the Sultanate's Habta, from sunrise to 11 am and sometimes to 1 pm.
The Eid Habta is a heritage that has been preserved by successive generations. It is also an old Omani tradition, which are held before the Eid that achieves social and economic benefits. The Omani people are keen to flock to Habta in the last days of Ramadan in preparation for Eid.
Many people move from one Habta to another in the nearby wilayats to search their markets for the best, especially from live meat or to enjoy the atmosphere associated with Habta, such as the sale of sheep, cows and camels at auction.
Eid Habta is the first of Omani joy for Eid Al Fitr, especially for children who are keen to attend, wearing the most beautiful Omani clothing. The Habta caters to the needs of mothers and children together, and provides many goods from toys and ready-made clothes, in addition to foodstuff that are used to prepare various Omani dishes and "Shewa" or meat-roasting items.
The Habta is also an opportunity for breeders to sell their livestock at good prices. Among the items Omanis are keen to buy at Habta are the local ghee, skewers made of date-palm pinnation and roast bag made from date-palm fronds and wood, knives and tools used for slaughtering and cutting Eid meat, and banana leaves that are used to wrap "Shewa" meat.
Many Habta witness the sale of light traditional weapons carried by males of various ages, such as guns, swords and daggers, in addition to sticks, traditional belts, and Omani clothing, such as "Musar or turban and "Kumah" or Omani cap.