The pride of place in Bahla town is occupied by the potter and his exceptional art. The potters of Bahla, they say throughout the country, have magic in their fingers and their creations adorn the best of homes. The clay comes from the wadi bed and it is laboriously trampled upon to make it pliable and then worked upon on the wheel – as potters have done throughout history.
The clay is transformed as the potter's hands seem to weave patterns in the air and you can see shapes and sizes emerge, along with spouts and rims as the fingers mould and curve. Like music that is unheard, the sight will root you to the spot.... The pots are then fired in a dome-shaped kiln, heated with fire-wood (palm fronds, of which there is a plentiful supply). Although the electric wheel has been introduced, you can still see the old kickwheel. And don't forget to pick a pot or two. They are very reasonably priced and will be great conversation piece in any drawing room. One of the most popular is the elegant snake pot which is generally used to store dates.
