Where to buy a goat in Oman

If you've been following my instagram for a while, you know about my love for goats (and camels, but that's for another blog). When I heard about the Nizwa goat market, I immediately started planning a new trip to Oman. Nizwa is one of the oldest cities in Oman (and the old capital), and the goat market is held every Friday morning in the souq, right in the city centre. It starts early, before the sun gets too hot, so if you decide to visit, make sure to set an alarm!

I woke up around sunrise and wandered around the quiet streets for a bit before making my way to the souq. The market square was already filling up with people (and animals) when I got there. The goat souq is set up with a fence around the square, and a pavilion in the middle. The event attracts locals from all over the region, as well as some tourists. Most traders are men, but just outside the main crowd you'll be able to find a few women, accompanied by kids (baby goats) and human kids.

The traders will walk in a circle around the pavilion, showing off their goats (and later on, cows), taking bids from potential buyers, negotiating as they walk through the narrow pad created through the crowd.

I didn't end up buying a goat, as I had to take a flight back to Dubai, but I was certainly tempted. Have a look at the cutest goats in the photos below:

One of my favourite shots, with the busy background contrasting with the man gently carrying his goat through the crowd.

The market from a goat's perspective.

If you haven't paid attention to the kumas (the Omani hats) yet, this is a good photo to start doing that. I don't think I've seen the same kuma twice, and there were many! But also, look at the ears on this adorable white goat...

Negoatiations (ha!).

Brown goat in the back of a truck.

The man with the cutest goat.