Even before the selling began, the round podium in the center of the roofed-in arena was filled with men dressed in white Dishdasha, looking elegant and important.
A sudden noise of shuffling feet announced the selling and the crowd of humans and animals in the circle started moving. Soon the noise increased, as the men were calling out the price and touting the qualities of the goats, which they were dragging or carrying around this base.
As more people arrived, the goats and their owners ended up pushing their way through a human corridor. Like most of Oman’s public life, this was a men’s affair, except of a small group of women wearing burkas, small masks covering their forehead, nose and cheeks. Cool like icicles they sat in the sand and threw little pebbles after the sellers if they wanted their attention.
Once an animal seemed worth a closer look, it was thoroughly inspected. Searching hands groped their testicles, the flesh on their backs, their mouths, even their teeth, only to turn it down for the offered price. Bargaining was serious! Especially women buyers acted very dismissive towards the sellers.
Eventually some goats changed owner and were tied to poles outside the arena. Some tourists came with very young children who desperately kept stroking the baby goats, as if to comfort the doomed creature, a heart-breaking scene.
