This is a photograph of the old souq in the town of Sansara in Nizwa, also called the Eastern Souq. Still in existence today, it remains quite crowded and its goods include food items, grains, seeds, traditional farming tools and Omani artisanal goods. This historic souq is over 300 years old, prior to which it contained stables for the Yaáribah dynasty which have stood without renovation. This souq has two gates: an Eastern and a Western gate. The gates would open during the souq’s operational hours, which were between sunrise and noon and between the late afternoon and dusk. Both gates remained closed at night. The man appearing in the middle of the picture wearing the ammunition belt is Mr. Yahya Al Fadhl Hamed Al Abadi who escorted Ms. Aida Al Rowas into the Nizwa souq.