Provinz Nord-Sharqiyah

It is one of the Wilayat of the North Al Sharqiyah Governorate. It is bordered to the north and the east by the Wilayat of Al Mudhaibi, to the south by the Wilayat of Al Qabil, to the east by the Wilayat of Dima W’attayeen. It is about 180 km away from the capital, Muscat. It is the administrative centre in the North Sharqiyah Governorate and it uses the Aqaba Mosque as the emblem. Traditional crafts and industries are varied in the Wilayat of Ibra. They include weaving (especially the clothing of garments), sheep wool spinning, daggers and women's ornaments making, the manufacture of mats, ropes, baskets and date bags from palm fronds, leather tanning, shoes making, dates drying, lemons drying and palms products making.

It is one of the Wilayats of the North Sharqiyah Governorate. It is bordered to the north by the Wilayats of Bidbid, Samail, Ibra and Al Qabil, and to the south by the Wilayat of Mahout, and to the east by the Wilayats of Bidiyah, Ja’alan Bani Bu Hasan and Ja’alan Bani Bu Ali. As to the west, it is bordered by the Wilayat of Izki and the Wilayat of Adam. The wilayat has adopted the gazelle as its emblem. In the Wilayat, there are a variety of traditional crafts and industries, where agriculture is considered the first craft practiced by the population. Among the most famous crops are palm, lemon, alfalfa, vegetables. There are also various crafts performed in the Wilayat such as grazing and camel breeding, spinning and weaving, palm leaves, date baskets, agricultural tools, especially traditional cultivation tools in addition to Omani sweets manufacturing and rugs making.

The Wilayat of Bidiyah has a unique local and foreign attractions in the North Sharqiyah Governorate, which have contributed to the enhancement of its natural ingredients and its unique environment. In fact, Bidiyah with its beautiful oasis and fine golden sand is a gateway to foreign tourists' convoys and visitors heading to the Sharqiyah sands. Bidiyah, like other wilayats of the Sultanate, received a rich share of the aspects of development and progress in the auspicious and prosperous era, as development included all the oases, regions and villages of this beautiful Omani wilayat, in which the spirit of Omani origin and history blends contemporary with a unique and rare harmony that combines Omani nature, heritage and originality. What distinguishes Bidiyah most from other wilayats of the Sultanate is the association of its people with traditional heritage and their love for and preservation of originality despite the modernity experienced by the Wilayat that combines old and modern. This is evident in the adherence to customs and traditions in some traditional arts and competitions held during religious and national occasions such as horse races, the Razhah, Al-Aazi, Hambal Al-Boush, Al-Taghroud and other Bedouin arts. The wilayat also maintains a number of industries and handicrafts that use natural raw materials in its production related to the desert environment and its beautiful traditional and natural items that the Wilayat’s young men and women began to invest through establishing small and medium projects and marketing them as tourist souvenirs. The most important traditional industries include gold and silver crafting (including jewellery, daggers and swords), khousiat (including baskets for collecting dates and bags for keeping dates), leather tanning (including belts of daggers and sheaths of swords) and palm leaf crafts (including making robes and mats from palm fronds).

It is one of the wilayats of the North Sharqiyah Governorate. It is bordered to the north by the Wilayat of Ibra, and to the south by the Wilayat of Bidiyah and to the west by the Wilayat of Al-Mudhaibi. It has taken the saddled horse as its emblem. There are about 69 ancient monuments, the most important of which is Al Qabil Fort and Al Mudhairib Fort. It it is characterized by the presence of approximately 50 falajs, the most important of which are Al-Mudhairib, Al-Qabil, Al-Draiz, and Al-Naba. It is also famous for the presence of a number of villages located between its high golden sand dunes, the most important of which are Saqa, Al-Aqidah, Al-Khurais and Al-Jawfa. There are also a number of springs in the Wilayat, the most important of which are Ayn Marzouk, known for its mineral waters, Ayn Wadi Baraka and Ayn Al Washal. The falajs, springs and villages located in the sand dunes are considered tourist attractions in the Wilayat of Al-Qabil. The Wilayat of Al-Qabil is one of the symbols of ancient Oman history. Therefore, it is distinguished by its ancient heritage. The many forts, castles and towers in the wilayat are only the best testimony to its standing. It is located in the eastern part of the North Sharqiyah Governorate on the main road between the cities of Muscat and Sur. It is bordered by the Wilayat of Wadi Bani Khalid from the eastern side, and the Wilayat of Bidiyah from the south side, and to the north it is bordered by the Wilayat of Ibra and to the north-east it is bordered by the Wilayat of Wadi Dima Wal-Ta’een, while to the west it is bordered by the Wilayat of Al-Mudhaibi. The wilayat is characterized by terrain diversity combining sand dunes, high mountains and low valleys. The wilayat is also distinguished by its ancient heritage and the presence of ancient monuments, in addition to the existence of towers that were built a very long time ago, estimated at hundreds of years, and which have their status and glory, yet remain steadfast, defying all days and years, erosion and topography.

It is one of the wilayats of the North Sharqiyah Governorate. It is bordered to the north by the Wilayat of Dima W’attayeen, to the south by the Wilayat of Al Kamil Wal Wafi, and to the east by the Wilayat of Sur, and to the west by the Wilayats of Bidiyah and Al Qabil. The wilayat has adopted Wadi Bani Khalid as its symbol. The wilayat is famous for a number of archaeological and historical monuments. It has some forts, the most important of which is Al-Mawalik Fort in the village of Al-Lawaina, which dates back to the fourth century AH. It is the largest of the Wilayat’s fort and it was the centre of the governor (wali) and judge in the past. Other important forts are Al-Adafin Fort in the village of Qaswa and Al-Ruzaiqiyeen Fort in the Village of Al-Hosn. There are also nine towers in the wilayat. The wilayat also has many attractions. Among the springs in the wilayat are Ayn Du Al-Lathb, Al-Kabira, Kanara, Al-Muntajar, Al-Halqa, Jabyat Al-Khamrah, Al-Hawiya, Al-Makhda, Al-Hajir, Al-Athnain, and Ghalala. In addition, there are 56 falajs in the wilayat, the most important of them are: Al-Haili, Al-Farda, Abu Bara, Al-Sarooj, Al-Harbi, Al-Kabeer, and Abu Khawlan.

It is one of the wilayats of the North Sharqiyah Governorate, which lies between the eastern Hajar Mountains. It is bordered to the north by the Wilayat of Qurayat, to the south by the Wilayats of Ibra and Bidiyah, to the east by the Wilayat of Al Qabil, to the west by the Wilayats of Al Mudhaibi, and Bidbid. It is about 170 km away from the capital, Muscat. It has taken the “naghal” palm tree as its symbol. The Wilayat of Dima W’attayeen includes some of the archaeological monuments represented in the forts, towers and ancient mosques. There are three forts in the villages of Al-Hammam, the village of Khabbah and the village of Al Hosn. It also has 87 towers spread across the wilayat, in addition to an old mosque that was recently restored. The springs, falajs and caves are among the prominent tourist attractions in the Wilayat of Dima Wal-Ta'een. Among the most important springs are Ayn Falaj Al Murr, Ayn Falaj Al Sokhna, Ayn Al Misfah and Ayn Al Sokhna. As for the falajs, the most important ones are Al-Aqdani, Al-Qaryah, Al-Luwaili, Al-Ain, Al-Taht and Falaj Qar, in addition to the spread of the ghiliyya falajs in the Wilayat, which is estimated at about 200 falajs. There is also a cave called Ghar Abu Habban and one of its tourist attractions is Wadi Bani Dayqah, which is considered one of the most fertile valleys and the most water-abundant in the region.

Aflaj

Caves and Nature Reserves

In spite of the development and progress achieved by Omani society in all aspects of life, the preservation of the Omani heritage is a fundamental pillar of the modern state and a distinctive feature of the Omani society. Heritage is an essential element in the formation of national identity. Despite the tremendous development of tools and means of production. Omani crafts include: Ship (Dhow) Building Oman's connection with the sea stretches back many centuries when Omani sailors using mast and sail, pioneered sea routes to the cities of the ancient world. Favorable factors were Oman's position at the crossroads of shipping routes which linked the Arabian Gulf to India, the Red Sea and East Africa and her knowledge of shipbuilding. Oman became the first non-European country to extend its influence to Africa where it remained for hundreds of years, due mainly to her ships/dhows. Oman was an important maritime and political power who established relations with China, Great Britain, France, the Netherlands and the United States of America. Throughout its long history, Oman's navy has played a key role in the country's economic success, both in providing the instrument for internal and external trade and in underpinning fishing and pearling activities. The Omani warship "The Sultana" which anchored in New York harbour in 1840, bearing gifts from Sultan Said bin Sultan to the American President, was a symbol of the greatness of the Omani fleet at that time. In Oman two techniques are used in shipbuilding. In the first, timbers are laid side-by-side and pierced at intervals with a fine hand drill. The timbers are then bound together through these holes by means of rope made of coconut fibre and the holes covered with a mixture of fibre or raw cotton soaked in fish, coconut or sesame oil. Arab geographers such as Al Idrissi and Ibn Jubair believed that boats bound with fibres and with flat hulls were safer than those fitted together with rigid iron nails because if they ran onto rocks or came into contact with another hull, they were more flexible. In the second method, nails are used and in essence this is the same technique as used in other countries of the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea. The main type of wood used for the hull and keel is teak which is imported from India. The ribs are made from locally available woods such as qart, sidr and sarar. The tools used in a ship's construction are simple and basic such as the hammer, saw, awl, bow drill, chisel, plane and calking iron. The principal shipbuilding yards in Oman were Sur, Mutrah and Shinas. Omani ships, which can last for 60-100 years, are distinguished by their variety of types although some are no longer made. The largest type was the ocean-going cargo vessel, the baghlah with a length of 135 feet and a load capacity of 150-400 tonnes which could be distinguished by its high poop deck and quarter galleries, its transom stern being pierced by five window apertures and often elaborately carved. The ghanjail was very similar to the baghlah, and is considered by many Omanis to be the most beautiful of the large dhows.The sambuuq used to be one of the most commonly seen Arab vessels: its distinguishing features are the low, curved, scimitar-shaped stem piece and high square stern which lacks a quarter gallery. The word sambuaq used to denote the sewn boats of the Dhofari coast, and may therefore be a term of great antiquity. The government is keen to encourage the maritime tourist industry, in restoring old ships, increasing the use of large vessels/dhows for sea fishing, and also the building of small models of Omani ships for decorative purposes and for i participating in exhibitions. HALWA Omani halwa (sweet) is famous at home and abroad as a symbol of traditional Omani hospitality. It is usually served in Omani homes before drinking Arabic coffee. The main ingredients which go into the making of halwa are: starch, eggs, sugar, water, ghee, saffron, cardamom, nuts and rose water from the Jebel al Akdhar. The ingredients are mixed, in proportions and quantities known only to the skilled halwamaker, and cooked in a mirjnl (large cooking pot used especially for halwa) for a time of not less than 2 hours. The cooking can be done over a gas or electric stove, but the preferred method is over a wood fire made up of snmr wood, known for its durability, smoke and odourfree properties. After cooking, the halwa can be preserved for more than four months without losing its quality, and without the need for refrigeration or preserving agents. Halwa is usually served in a dist, a large earthenware bowl, which can vary in size and composition according to demand or type of occasion. The list can also be made of metal or plastic. Halwa is invariably served at times of joy or sorrow and, on religious occasions and festivals. It graces the tables of every Omani home. Palm leave products The Palm leave products depends on palm trees. There are Al Khaws (palm leaves), the Zawr (palm branches stripped of their leaves), the palm trunk and the fibre. For example, mats(rugs) are made of the two plants called Al Ghadf and Al Rusul which grow on the valley banks where there is an abundance of water. Governorate of Musandamis renowned for its palm leaf industries, such as utensils (Al Surood and Al Makba) which are made from palm leaves. Al Surood is a mat-shaped tray known as Sama, used with food to protect it from insects, while Al Makba fulfils the same purpose. Daggers and Swords A normal or hooked dagger is the most important component of the Omani dress. Omanis are keen to acquire daggers and appear wearing them at official events, national celebrations and weddings. Due to the succession of this social custom from one generation to another, the dagger-making industry has survived the passage of time, albeit with modern improvements. The Omani dagger is an authentic heritage the present generation is keen to pass on to their children. The dagger is also a symbol of manhood and pride among Omani men, who wear it on their leather belts over the dishdashah (long outer garment). Its front section is made of small connected silver pieces, or it may be elegantly embroidered with silver or gold threads. A dagger’s price is determined by the raw material it is made of, usually iron, silver or gold. Although silver daggers are the most common, especially for making the dagger handle, the blade case too determines a dagger’s price. There is the giraffe case, which is the most expensive because it has been banned, and cases made of buffalo skin, sandalwood, and the bitter orange tree. Silver wares The silver industry occupies a key place in the history of Oman. Omani silver jewellery is characterised by a rich sense of the aesthetic and reflects the unique taste of the country’s authentic art, deeply rooted in its history. Silver in Omani society is reflective of its rich social and religious symbols. The Omani dress, whether that of women or men, is never complete without silver jewellery that adds to its beauty, especially apparent in the Omani khanjar (dagger). The Pottery The art of pottery-making is an inherent and distinct testimony to the world’s civilisations as it reflects the extent of their development and advancement. Though pottery-making is one of the simplest forms of art because of its primitive nature, it is in fact, one of the most difficult trades because it involves a form of art. Pottery-making in Oman is considered an ancient industry. The reason it has attracted much interest can be attributed to the multitude of its uses in Omanis’ daily lives. Bahla in A'Dhahirah Governorate is the most famous town for pottery-making in Oman. Pottery is of many kinds and shapes, and its uses and manufacturing materials vary. The pots known as jihal are used for keeping water, the red pots with a thick layer known as khuroos are used for keeping water and dates, the small ones are for keeping honey and grease and the pots known as brams are used as cooking utensils. Pottery is also made as coffee pots and thermoses. Clay is the main component of Pottery and is widely available in Bahla in A'Dhahirah Governorate, where the soil is rich in clay.

Sands

Forts and Castles

Traditional Markets

Archeological Sites