Culture of Oman
Even
though Oman is a modern country, western influences are quite
restricted. The Ibadi form of Islam is also conservative like
Sunni Islam and Shi'a Islam. About 75% of Oman is Muslim. As is
the case with most Middle Eastern countries, alcohol is only available
in some hotels and few restaurants.
Although Arabic is Oman's official language,
there are native speakers of different dialects, as well as Balochi,
or offshoots of Southern Arabian, a Semitic language only distantly
related to Arabic. Swahili is also widely spoken in the country
due to the historical relations between Oman and Zanzibar. The
dominant indigenous language is a dialect of Arabic and the country
has also adopted English as a second language. Almost all signs
and writings appear in both Arabic and English
Oman is famous for its khanjar knives,
which are curved daggers worn during holidays as part of ceremonial
dress. Today traditional clothing is worn by most Omani men. They
wear an ankle-length, collarless robe called a dishdasha that
buttons at the neck with a tassel hanging down. Traditionally
this tassel would be dipped in perfume. Today the tassel is merely
a traditional part of the dishdasha.
Women wear hijab and abaya. Some women
cover their faces and hands, but most do not. The abaya is a traditional
dress and it is current having different styles. The Sultan has
forbidden the covering of faces in public office. On holidays,
such as Eid, the women wear traditional dress, which is often
very brightly colored and consists of a mid-calf length tunic
over pants.
A very important part of Omani culture
is hospitality. If invited into an Omani house, a visitor is likely
to be greeted with a bowl of dates, qahwa (coffee with cardamom
- standard Arabic ????)and fruit. The coffee is served fairly
weak in a small cup, which should be shaken after three servings
to show that you have finished. The dates are in lieu of sugar.
Halwa and other sweets are often given at celebrations such as
Eids.
The Omani culture is steeped in the religion
of Islam. Oman has developed its own type of Islam, known as Ibadhism.
There are both Sunni and Shia Muslims in Oman. With this in mind
the Islam month of fasting, Ramadan and other Islamic festivities
are very important events in Omani culture
National Dress
For men the national dress is an ankle-length, collarless gown
with long sleeves called the dishdasha. There are several accesories
including a muzzar (a type of turban), an assa (a cane or stick)
and a Khanjar.
The Khanjar is a ceremonial curved dagger
that is a symbol of male elegance and are worn at formal events
and holidays.
The Dhow
An enduring symbol of Oman is the traditional Dhow. These dailing
ships have been around for several centuries, there is evidence
of an Omani Dhow reaching China in the 8th Century. the dhows
are still in operation primarily used for fishing, exporting and
tourism. The main ports of Sohar, Sur, Salalah and Muscat all
maintain a large fleet. Sur also has an exstensive dhow building
industry.
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