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Oman

Culture & History

Personality, Culture, & Identity

Oman is overshadowed and forgotten, but beyond the bright lights of the other gulf coast counties, Oman strikes a balance between modernization and culture, past and present. For centuries, the backwaters of the Arabian Peninsula, Oman has quietly caught up to his more glitzy brothers but refuses to flaunt this progress.

Never clinging to the past, Omanis recognize their history from a powerful empire controlling the Indian Ocean's and Arabian Peninsula's trade to their oceanic defeats and slip into poverty. Today Oman neither boasts about their frankincense past, nor do they deny or complain about their failure to progress for nearly a century. Oman acts with the wisdom of an old sage who learned from his victories and defeats, but focuses only on today and the future. He has struck a perfect balance between modernization and history.

Omanis proudly wear their "national dress" and can be spotted throughout Arabia, yet they see life as being "Omani" simple as is. Oman has been influenced by others and others have influenced Oman, making the people open to different views and opinions, making them welcoming and inquisitive, yet they don't seek change, but rather listen intently as they remain confident in who they are.

History

Oman's history is often divided into two or three distinct times: the ancient times dating back to nearly 5000 BC, the 1700 and 1800s, then today, beginning with about 1970. Today, the Omanis proudly claim they are in the middle of a "Renaissance," and due to their long and powerful past, this phrase is well deserved.

Oman's southern coast, near modern-day Dhofar is home to the highly sought after frankincense, but the region also had gold, making historic Oman one of the richest areas in the entire Middle East, if not the world. The frankincense, which can only be found in a couple places, but none with as high of quality as Dhofar, became the draw from everywhere in the ancient Middle East as it was a highly sought after trading material, linking Oman with India, the Arabian Peninsula, and the rest of the world.

Frankincense gained fame in the west as being one of the gifts from the three kings. Plus, the gold cities of the Bible were also located in Oman, which justifiably gave Oman its reputation as a rich and prosperous land. Unfortunately, to have a revival, first there must be a downturn and Oman's first began at about year 0 until a little after the introduction of Islam to the region.

In about 1000 to 1500 Oman made a resurgence by controlling the Indian Ocean and the trading routes from Africa, Arabia, and India. This resurgence was short-lived however and in the 1500s the Portuguese gained control over these same trade routes by successfully attacking Oman's coasts and ships. Portuguese rule over Oman lasted until 1624.

In the 1800s, Oman regained influence over the seas and moved their capital to the island of Zanzibar (off the coast of modern-day Tanzania), making parts of the East African coast colonies. By the late 1800s however, the Omani empire had divided between Oman itself and the African colonies. Near the same time the British arrived in the Persian Gulf and tried to end Oman's control over trade.

Although the British never turned Oman into a colony, the country was essentially under British control during much of the 1900s. During this time Oman was essentially divided into two areas: the coast and the interior. The latter filled with nomads and desert, while the prior was based on trade and the seas. These two groups warred with each other as the coasts were dominated by the Sultan and the interior sought freedom and the open desert, which was the traditional life they had lived for centuries. Despite eventually uniting the country, civil unrest continued as Oman isolated itself from the rest of the world during much of the 1900s; education rates stagnated, and healthcare lagged behind international standards.

In 1970 Qaboos, the Sultan's son took power in a bloodless coup. At the time Oman only had two primary schools, no secondary schools, two hospitals (run by American missions), and only 10 kilometers of sealed roads. This uphill battle for Sultan Qaboos was successfully overcome as today, Oman rightfully boasts one of the world's best road networks, increasing literacy and education rates, and improving healthcare.

Despite the modernization since 1970, Oman looks and feels nothing like it's neighboring Gulf coast countries. Omani traditions and culture have not only remained, but have been embraced and flourish under the country's educational system. Additionally, Sultan Qaboos and his ministers annually go out among the people to request their suggestions, ideas, and needs so they can continue to improve their country. Some of these requests even being fulfilled before the Sultan's departure from the town or village he visits.

Dress & Behavior

As a Muslim country, there are a number of religious laws which should be obeyed by everyone in Oman, including tourists. Oman receives very few tourists and not following Islamic laws is considered rude and inappropriate, although the local people are generally too kind to point out your lack of respect.

Women should cover their hair at all times in public and both women and men are expected to cover their legs and shoulders; showing your knees and/or shoulders is very offensive. Even 3/4 length pants, like Capris and short sleeve shirts should be avoided, although there is some leniency to the short sleeve shirts. Some all-inclusive resorts that cater to tourists relax these regulations on their private beaches, however everywhere else you must cover up.

Adult women are best off traveling to Oman with their husband or family. Single women travelers are looked at oddly and traveling with a man who is not related or married to you is considered wrong. Pretending you are married is not right, but is less offensive than a single man and women traveling together. It is also improper to touch a woman, even holding your wife's hand or offering to shake a local woman's hand can be considered inappropriate.

Islamic law forbids pork products and alcohol and these must be avoided. Although some high end hotels may offer alcohol in their restaurants, pork is nearly impossible to find and consuming either is extremely offensive. To learn more about dining etiquette in Oman, visit the Omani Food page.

This page was last updated: August, 2011