Even though Oman is a modern
country, western influences are
quite restricted. The
Ibādī form of Islam is also
conservative like
Sunni Islam and
Shi'a Islam. About 83% 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 (the
language of the Baloch from
Pakistan), or offshoots of
Southern Arabian, a Semitic
language only distantly related to
Arabic, but closely related to
Semitic languages in
Eritrea and
Ethiopia. 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. A
significant number also speak Hindi,
due to the influx of Indian migrants
during the late 1980's and the
1990's.
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
hijabs and
abayas. Some women cover their
faces and hands, but most do not.
The abaya is a traditional dress and
it is currently 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 قهوة)
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.
