“Bedouin Lady Spinning”
8 x 10.8 cm
HERE'S THE STORY
This painting is another one I made from pictures taken at the Muscat Festival. Although the Bedouin still love the dune regions especially the Empty Quarter, most of them have found small towns to live in. They still buy and sell goats and camels. When the goats are shorn the women will spin yarn using the drop spindle method (more portable) and later either they or the men weave the coarse yarn into heavy rugs. One of the more traditional sub-cultures in Oman, I have found the Bedouin most eager to have their picture taken with you. They will also invite you into their shade for coffee and dates and a chat, even if you don’t speak Arabic. Makes for a funny conversation but the warmth of these women needs no translation.
