The livestock market at Nizwa sooq takes place every Friday morning. Livestock owners, often women from the region bring their animals – mainly sheep, goats and cattle – to the market. There they are registered which includes a cursorily check of the health condition that means they are judged by appearance and a quick look into the mouth.

The livestock owners hire a commercial seller, giving him their price. He then runs with the animal in a circle shouting out the price. Prospective buyers are looking at the animal, shouting in their offer. The commercial seller gets paid a provision when selling the animal. He has to include this beforehand in the price at which he offers the animal.

In general, the appearance of the livestock at this market was not very well. The claws were not well cared off and the coat looked very shaggy and dishevelled. Most of the animals were infested by parasites. It is unclear if the poor health of an animal has an influence on the price and if so of what kind.

To read more, please download the full report by Ute Gilles.

Continue to "Visit to an anchient mosque in Nizwa".

back to top