Travel to Oman
Oman is known for its popular tourist attractions.
Wadi’s deserts, beaches, and mountains are areas which make Oman unique to its
Wadi’s deserts, beaches, and mountains are areas which make Oman unique to its neighbouring GCC nations (Wadis in particular).
Jebel Shams is Oman’s highest mountain, highest point 3009m , and is a popular destination for camping and hiking. Other popular tourist activities include sand skiing in the desert, mountain climbing, camel racing and bullfighting.
Travel to Oman is a good idea.
The Muscat Festival is usually held at the beginning of every year. During this event, traditional dances are held, temporary theme parks open, and concerts take place. Another popular event is the Khareef Festival, which is similar to Muscat Festival; however, it is held in August in Salalah, Dhofar. During this latter event, mountains are packed as a result of the cool breeze weather during that period of time which rarely occurs in Muscat.
Culture of Oman
Arabic is Oman’s official language, there are native speakers of different dialects, as well as Balochi, 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 coloured 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. With this in mind, the Islam month of fasting, Ramadan and other Islamic festivities are very important events in Omani culture.
Travel to Oman is safe. Muscat has a few direct flights from Europe.
Nasser Al-Jabri