Tourist note: the strange traditions of the inhabitants of Oman. Photo

Culture and traditions of omanis.

They rejoice in the flood, obsessed with the environment and share with the Spaniards a favorite form of entertainment. Talk about the most characteristic habits and traditions of omanis.

They all smell of churches

For centuries, Oman is one of the largest manufacturers of incense. Find it here on each market are quite different quality and different prices. And smoke it in almost every shop and in every hotel wherever you come, everywhere smells like the Orthodox churches, so familiar to the Russian people. Only religion here is different.

They have their Islam

As you know, the world is dominated by two currents of Islam: Shiism and Sunnism. The omanis — not the Sunnis, like their neighbors on the Arabian Peninsula, and not the Shiites, as neighbors across the Bay. They are a special, rather rare for Islam — ibadism.

They like the flood in the desert

In the summer months the temperature can reach 50 °C, making Oman one of the hottest places on the planet. The man manages to sweat just came out of the car and reaching the office or shop.

But in late winter — early spring every year in Oman is a rather large flood. As the country’s many so-called deep gorges, who at that time completely filled with water, the local drivers of SUVs (and at least half of the drivers) rush to jeeping and behave there as children.

Other entertainment — bullfight

Near the capital of Oman, Muscat, weekly bullfights. Animals are specially bred and they are often like a car. No rates or admission tickets for the fights are not provided is a matter of prestige: the breed and the breeder.

They’re obsessed with ecology

The omanis are jealous of ecological condition of the site. And despite the fact that it produces a huge quantity of oil on the beaches is almost impossible to find traces of petroleum products. All this because of the laws which were accepted by the Sultan. However, to throw out of the window package or stub — common.

They still use aqueducts water

Water from Wadi still use through aqueducts that stretch for several kilometers, often before the start of the gorge.

They eat with their hands

Figure Omani often used his hands, rolls him a ball, and, taking with him the meat, fish or vegetables, sends in his mouth. A tradition… wash your Hands before and after eating, always on the tables there are napkins. The kitchen itself is in Oman is a mixture of Arabic and Indian traditions. The portions are huge, as, indeed, everywhere in the Arab countries. And of course, the main drink is coffee, very strong and delicious. It is served in the pot, drink from tiny cups and always with dates.

They give each other very expensive knives

The Khanjar, the traditional Omani knife. He is a national symbol of the Sultanate of Oman and is present on its coat of arms and flag. Prices on Khanjar very high — up to $600 on a normal market, and that’s about 50-60 dinners or 250 cups of coffee, and more knives on special order will cost $1000 and above. However, this knife is a must have for every self-respecting Omani.

They all wear hats

In the daily life of the Omani wear traditional cap — kummu, and almost no shooting: on the street, and indoors. For a foreigner it is often the only way to distinguish the Omani Arabs from other countries.

Here in the mosque can only go Muslim

Unlike most Muslim countries, in Oman, the tourist-a non-Muslim not allowed in mosques. You, of course, will not drive, but very delicately asked to leave. The only exception is the Sultan Qaboos Grand mosque in Muscat, the country’s largest. And then you go one day a week (Saturday) and exclusively till lunch.

The Sultan is the main “icon” of the country

Sultan Qaboos is loved by everyone the inhabitants of the country, from small to large. His portraits are everywhere: on houses and buildings, on the Windows machines and mugs. Boxes, books, money — everywhere you will see the Sultan, and in a completely different form: in the traditional costume or uniform, paternal or strictly.

And all this for a reason. The Sultan actually did the impossible — brought the country to a qualitatively different level. Very peaceful and flexible policy has helped to virtually avoid the participation of Oman in the conflict. Strict laws in the sphere of ecology and protection of cultural heritage have turned the country into the pearl of Arabia for travelers. But the construction made it a single entity — the roads of Oman is the envy of any country in the world.

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