Culture and Traditions
Hospitality
The Sultanate of Oman is a hidden jewel of the Middle East, a country with ageless heritage, diverse culture, and peculiar traditions. The unique charm of the country is the friendliness and warm hospitality of its people. Do not be surprised if passing-by Omanis will be smiling, greeting, and asking after you. Such openness and amiability are just part of their culture. You will be offered Omani coffee or kahva and dates even if you are just visiting an office, a shop, or a hotel. Omanis will eagerly help you if you are lost or are confused in finding the right direction.
Religion
It’s worth mentioning that Islam is the official religion of the Sultanate, and was embraced during the life of the prophet Mohammed. However, it has been 40 years since Oman started to transform into a modern society, and there are no traces of radical religious sects in the Sultanate. Omanis are very tolerant towards representatives of other religions and faiths and respect all country’s guests despite their profession, gender, and cultural belonging.
Traditional Dress
When it comes to clothing, Omani men prefer to wear the traditional dress or Dishdasha, which is an ankle-length, white gown with long sleeves. Omanis cover their heads and wear the turban called massar or the cap kummah. Omani women tend to wear the traditional Arabic dress called Abaya, which is a long gown, usually black in colour. Nowadays, with a wide range of chic brands, Omani women following the latest trends and fashion prefer to wear fashionable abayas and scarfs. For special occasions and holidays, Omani beauties prefer to change the usual abaya for a traditional national dress, adorned with lush embroidery and complemented with massive gold or silver jewelry.
Omani Cuisine
Not only clothing is a unique feature in the Sultanate, but so is Omani cuisine! Traveling throughout Oman, you will discover such national dishes as Shuwa, which is a mouth-watering meat roasted underground for twenty-four hours. Another key feature of Omani cuisine is the Omani Halwa, which is a kind of pudding made out of date butter, nuts, and rose water.
Frankincense
Along with clothes and peculiar cuisine, another interesting tradition is the use of frankincense and aromatic oils. The Sultanate is the birthplace of the famous Amouage perfumes, in which frankincense is one of the main ingredients. Once upon a time, the Sultanate was a starting point of the Incense trade route. The sweet aroma of frankincense, which has a long tradition here, will follow you everywhere whether you are at the hotel, on the street, or enjoying the hospitality of your Omani friends. So, discovering Oman and its unique, stunning heritage must definitely be on your bucket list.