a guide on oman and its culture

Introduction

The culture of Oman, the second-largest nation on the Arabian Peninsula, is diverse within its borders. You can't help but wonder how there is such variation across the nation when each region has its own history and character. Prior to the 1970s, Oman served as a significant port for travellers, which led to the blending of other cultures with its own. Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said made the decision to reunite Oman's national identity in 1970, resulting in the country's distinctive, hospitable culture. If you are curious about Oman culture and to spend some time in this beautiful country experiencing its culture then you need to apply for an Oman visa that can be obtained through our website Oman IE visa.

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Some Major points that Highlight Omani Culture

Religion In Oman

• Islam is the state religion of Oman. Oman is the only nation in the world where Ibadism predominates, with almost 75% of the population practising this form of Islam.
• In contrast to their Muslim neighbours, Oman's mosques are plain with little adornment and no minarets, in keeping with the austere ethos of Ibadism. Ibadis do not consume alcohol in accordance with their religion, and humility is expected. In public, all sexes are expected to keep their shoulders, arms, and legs covered. Oman is relatively peaceful during the daytime hours of Ramadan, and it is illegal to consume food or beverages or listen to loud music in public during this time.
• The nation has a good ranking for religious tolerance. Hindus, Sikhs, Jews, Buddhists, and Christians are among the non-Muslim religious groups that exist in the nation.

Social Customs & How To Behave In Oman

• Omanis are friendly and modest people. Angry outbursts in public places are prohibited, as are crude or violent gestures. They think that maintaining a good reputation requires acting appropriately in public. Therefore, it's crucial to prevent any scenarios that could cause Omanis to look bad in front of their peers. They'll see it as a personal slight, which will be detrimental to both parties.
• Remember to obtain permission before taking pictures with locals, especially when it comes to Omani women. It's advisable to not press the matter if they don't feel at ease having their picture taken.
• The locals are incredibly friendly and welcoming if they like you. It's normal to receive an invitation to someone's home, where dates and Omani coffee are frequently served.
• Oman is a Muslim nation, hence social interactions tend to be gender-specific. The best greeting is a firm handshake, especially between colleagues. Try to shake the hand of the person who is the most senior before anybody else in a meeting because Oman's culture values respect for elders.

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Women Travellers

• Travelling women in Oman should have few issues, yet it is nevertheless unusual to see unaccompanied Western ladies throughout most of the nation, whether they are travelling alone or in pairs. While not common, hassles are uncommon (provided you dress appropriately, which is especially important if you're travelling alone with a man), especially in Muscat.
• Single female tourists may feel particularly alienated because most Omani men would purposefully avoid you out of respect and because it's difficult to make acquaintances with Omani women, at least without local contacts.

Oman's culture places a lot of emphasis on clothing.

• Omani men dress in a dishdasha, which is typically white but not always, like their neighbours in the Gulf. Omani dishdashas distinguish themselves from those of the other GCC countries by having a modest pattern, a front slit opening, a long collar tassel, embroidery around the wrists, neckline, across the back, and around the slit opening, as well as simple cuffs.
• Omani males are frequently seen wearing a Kuma or a massar, a wrapped headgear (simple, embroidered, brimless, cap). Men's fashion today is similar to that of prior decades, with the exception that younger generations sporadically adopt western attire out at night or sportswear when watching football.
• When in the interior, traditional women's attire is stunning and a genuine delight to witness. Depending on the area of Oman, women's clothing comes in a variety of styles and hues but generally consists of a dishdasha (a dress), narwal (trousers), waqaya (a headcover that wraps around the head), or lahaf (a head cover that drapes over the head). Everything is either really vibrant or very ornamented.

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Taboo Subjects You Should Be Aware Of

• Well if you visit Oman the frequent topics that people will address are your whereabouts and your name and if they find you interesting they may also ask about your marital status. This is done in a good impression on the country.
• Since Omanis are very proud of their motherland, therefore any comment related to the land or any misinterpretation of the land could pay you heavily and definitely, it will not be well received by your host. Comments against Islam should be avoided even more forcefully. Given that concepts like atheism, agnosticism, and alternative religions are not often understood, it is also easy to claim your religion is Christianity when asked, even if you have no such beliefs. Politics, unless it is of the most broad and harmless variety, continues to be a delicate topic that should only be broached with great caution. Additionally, it is strictly forbidden to criticize Sultan Qaboos.

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Conclusion

In this blog, we discussed the various aspects of the culture of Oman. If you wish to know more about the Omani culture just take a flight to Oman by booking an Oman visa from the oman IE visa website.

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