Frames of tradition at Nizwa Goat Market
Guided by American mentor Mike Macartney through a Photographic Society of America (PSA) online course, his images reveal intimate moments of negotiation, community and the powerful human-animal connection at the heart of this iconic Omani scene.
with my stuff
He has brought the bustling spirit of the iconic Nizwa Goat Market to life through a striking series of images crafted under the mentorship of American instructor Mike Macartney of the PSA.
Mike, a seasoned street and art photographer known for his work with Olympus cameras and iPhones, designed the intensive online course as an 18-week programme. Spanning seven thematic modules — from the fundamentals of street photography and legal considerations to portraits and night scenes — the course pushed participants to capture authentic urban stories through their lenses.
For his final project, Ajayan focused on the animal auction at Nizwa Souq, widely known as the Nizwa Goat Market, one of Oman's most dynamic and traditional events. Arriving early in the morning, he documented each stage: the tense arrival of livestock, the parade of animals through the crowded arena, negotiations between buyers and sellers; and the eventual loading of purchased animals onto trucks.
Among his five submitted images, 'The Struggle for Survival' captures a bull hesitating at the edge of a pick-up truck, its wary eye revealing an almost human apprehension of its fate. 'Parade Before Slaughter' depicts the swirl of auction activity, with sellers showcasing animals and buyers inspecting them in a charged atmosphere. In 'Trading with Tradition', Ajayan photographs a rare scene of Bedouin women negotiating a sale, highlighting a culturally rich and seldom-seen interaction.
In 'Happy with My Stuff', a buyer in a dishdasha proudly walks alongside his assistant carrying two goats in an unusual, almost playful manner. 'Despatch of the Goods' shows two assistants lifting a goat into a truck, closely observed by a young boy, emphasising the communal nature of market life.
Reflecting on Ajayan's work, Mike noted, 'I am happy to see how culturally aware Ajayan is in his street photography. As an American, I operate in a different environment — I avoid photographing children even though it's legal here and each photographer navigates their own ethical choices. Ajayan's sensitivity and respect for local traditions stand out'.
Parade of animals at the Nizwa souq
Through his images from the Wilayat of Nizwa, Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, Ajayan offers viewers a vivid, intimate glimpse into Oman's traditional heart — a story of trade, emotion and community, captured frame by frame.
Ajayan described the project as a culmination of everything he learned during the course. 'I thoroughly enjoyed this journey with Mike. His constructive feedback and mentorship have not only refined my technical approach but also built my confidence as a street photographer', he said.
Parade before slaughter
Mike, former president and vice-president of the Thousand Oaks Photo Group (TOPG) in California, is recognised for his focus on urban storytelling and non-traditional landscapes. His workshops and online programmes continue to inspire photographers globally, encouraging authentic and personal visual narratives.
Ajayan also expressed gratitude to the Photographic Society of America and to Stephanie Sioras, PSA Education Service Administrator, for providing him with the opportunity to develop his skills further.
Ajayan Poyyara, Oman-based photographer
The PSA founded in 1934, is a world-wide organisation providing abundant resources for photographers, from the novice to the professional. PSA offers online learning, webinars, study groups, discounts, competitions, mentors and consultants.
Mike Macartney, American mentor at PSA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Muscat Daily
6 hours ago
- Muscat Daily
65% Omanis in private sector earn less than RO600
Muscat – Omani nationals employed in the government sector continue to earn significantly higher wages compared to their counterparts in the private sector, according to 2024 data from National Centre for Statistics and Information. Out of 740,877 Omanis insured in 2024, 392,011 work in the government and 348,866 are in the private sector. Despite this near-even split, a stark contrast emerges in wage distribution. The private sector has a heavy concentration of Omanis in the lowest wage brackets. A total of 138,632 private sector employees earn between RO325 and RO400 monthly, representing nearly 40% of all Omanis in the private sector. In contrast, 5,077 government employees fall within this bracket, which is 1.3% of all those employed in the government sector. The disparity persists across other low-income bands. A total of 47,713 private sector employees earn RO400-RO500, compared to 11,047 in government. In the RO500-RO600 bracket, 40,387 are in private jobs versus 30,090 in government. Combined, more than 65% Omanis in the private sector earn less than RO600, whereas less than 12% government employees fall into this category. At the higher end of the wage spectrum, the imbalance is reversed. In the RO2,000 to RO2,500 range, 4,987 are government compared to 7,797 private sector employees. Among those earning RO2,500 or more, 16,172 are in the private sector while 5,689 are in government. This suggests a narrowing gap at the very top but a broader divide across the lower and middle wage tiers. Gender disparities are also evident. Of the total 740,877 Omanis insured, 215,671 are women and 525,206 are men. Male employees dominate all income categories, especially the higher wage brackets. Sector-wise, Omanis in the private sector are spread across different fields. The construction sector employs the largest number of Omanis – 76,573 – followed by manufacturing (57,627), wholesale, retail trade and repair of vehicles (56,543), agriculture and fisheries (47,929), and transport and storage (47,428) making the top five sectors employing citizens. For expatriates, the construction sector is the largest employer (439,924), followed by wholesale, retail trade and repair of vehicles (277,247), those employed by households (272,542), manufacturing (183,134) and administrative and support services (134,275), making the top five sectors employing expatriate workers.
Observer
6 hours ago
- Observer
Ministry of Labour hosts Salalah's business leaders
SALALAH: The Ministry of Labour (MoL) hosted a meeting of Dhofar Governorate's business leaders at the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex for Culture and Entertainment in Salalah on Wednesday. The forum, held with the participation of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, focused on labour market challenges. Addressing the event, Dr Mahad bin Said Baowain, Minister of Labour, pointed to the current efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Labour to enhance the development of labour market tools. He highlighted the support extended to private sector institutions and the facilities available to establishments. He also referred to the Labour Law and the regulations governing the labour market, which aim to ensure stability and keep pace with the progress witnessed in the global market. Dr Baowain explained during the meeting — held as part of the activities of the Labour Forum 2025 — that the current circumstances call for accelerating the pace of work. This is due to the challenges and tremendous advancements taking place, which serve the interests of the markets and support human resources. He emphasised that human capital is the true driver of development and progress. In this context, he pointed to employment initiatives adopted by the Ministry of Labour in genuine partnership with the private sector. The official also stressed the importance of the role of the private sector in Dhofar Governorate, which is growing at a rapid pace, particularly in the tourism field. He noted the governorate's role in strengthening the labour sector and the efforts made by small and medium enterprises and their national workforces in the establishments and companies of the private sector. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of intensifying attention to entrepreneurial projects related to artificial intelligence and innovation, as well as supporting training programmes. The meeting witnessed a discussion of the challenges facing business owners, particularly in the small and medium enterprises sector; and ways to simplify procedures to benefit from the facilities available to them to establish new projects and mechanisms for their development. Omanisation in certain activities, as well as the means of developing the Omani labour market, were also discussed.
Observer
6 hours ago
- Observer
Khazaen Dry Port joins CMA CGM's global network
MUSCAT: Khazaen Dry Port, a key facility under the Asyad Group, has officially joined the global container terminal network of CMA CGM, one of the world's leading shipping groups. This strategic move positions Khazaen as an approved container terminal within CMA CGM's global system, significantly enhancing its integration with international shipping lines and offering Omani importers and exporters greater access to efficient and flexible global logistics solutions. The port has already begun receiving container shipments through this new network, with goods arriving via SOHAR Port and Freezone as a transit hub. Leveraging its advanced infrastructure and operational capabilities, Khazaen was able to complete clearance and handling procedures on-site — demonstrating its readiness to manage international freight flows effectively. Khazaen Dry Port provides a range of value-added services that benefit both local and international trade. These include generous free storage periods — up to 14 days for loaded containers and 21 days for empties — alongside specialised services for refrigerated containers, such as electrical hook-ups and pre-operation inspections. It also hosts food and agricultural inspection facilities directly within the port, speeding up the entry of goods into domestic markets and boosting overall supply chain efficiency. This milestone is the result of a strategic partnership between Asyad Ports and Free Zones and the CMA CGM Group; and was enabled by a streamlined customs corridor developed in collaboration with the Directorate General of Customs of the Royal Oman Police. The new corridor allows container transport using a 'shipping agent seal', eliminating the need for traditional customs closures. Additionally, it provides for a 'written financial undertaking' in place of a bank guarantee, reducing costs for logistics operators and encouraging direct connectivity. Saad Bait Naseeb, CEO of Khazaen Dry Port, noted that the port's integration into CMA CGM's global network reflects its commitment to positioning Oman as a competitive logistics hub in the region. He said the initiative aligns with the broader objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which prioritises economic diversification and smart infrastructure development to enhance the Sultanate of Oman's role in global supply chains. 'This step supports Khazaen's vision of operational excellence, regulatory innovation and sustainable logistics solutions', Bait Naseeb said, reaffirming Asyad Group's dedication to building a globally connected and efficient logistics ecosystem. — ONA
