Interesting Facts About Omani culture and costume

1. Before Islam reached Oman, Omanis practiced Ibadhism. The people belonging to this sect practiced austerity and tolerance.

2. It is a tradition in Oman to greet a visitor with a bowl of dates, qahwa (coffee with cardamom) and fruit.

3. Muscat, the capital of Oman, was occupied by the Portuguese for a period of 140 years (1508-1648). After the Portuguese, the Ottomans took control of Oman, only to be pushed out by the current line of leading sultans. However, it was once again occupied briefly by Persia, but it (Oman) finally succeeded in freeing itself. During this time, the country was also known as Muscat and Oman.

4. Date palms are served with coffee in several of the Omani hotels.

5. In Omani culture, Ramadan (the month of fasting) and other Islamic festivals are very important.

6. Women wear hijab and abaya. Most women do not cover their heads in offices. They also wear brightly colored dresses during festivals such as Eid.

7. Omani men wear–Dishdasha–an ankle length robe.

A group of Omani boys wearing Dishdasha.

8. Locals smoke traditional shisha. These are also known as hookah pipes or hubbly bubbly. However, their proper name is nargile.

9. The Omani week ends on Friday. Omanis enjoy Thursdays and Fridays to their core. In the coming years, they are planning to shift their weekends to Friday and Saturday.

10. Women-only souq is an open-air marketplace or commercial quarter in Western Asian and North African cities. (The equivalent Persian term is “bazaar” – Wikipedia.org) It takes place every Wednesday in the city of Ibra. Only women are allowed to participate in this open-air marketplace. Women sell and buy a variety of things, including jewelry and spices.

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