An Omani Family
Who are the Omani?
The Omanis, or citizens of Oman, derive their ancestry from various sources, primarily Arabian tribes but also from Baloch, East African and Indian sources. The Balochs, an ethnic Iranian people, migrated from Balochistan to Oman a few centuries ago, largely as mercenaries to help fight against the Portuguese. Today they comprise 25 to 40% of the population of Oman, yet maintain their cultural and linguistic heritage. Oman’s East African heritage is a result of its role in the slave trade. As a seafaring country, Oman had close ties with the East African coast and a 19th century Sultan even built his primary residence in Zanzibar and ruled Oman from these distant shores. Ethnic Banyans and Khojas came to Oman from India in the 16th century, largely as merchants and many of their descendants are still common today in the souks of Muscat.
Arabic is the official language of Oman but Balochi, Swahili, Urdu and Farsi are also widely spoken. Despite Oman’s diverse tribal background, the people think of themselves primarily as Omani, or nationals of their country. Only the people in the southern province of Dhofar are considered distinct and closer to the people of neighboring Yemen.
Rural Omanis are primarily farmers (dates, limes, livestock) or fishermen whereas many urban dwellers are related to the oil, petroleum and liquefied gas industry. Oman is a Muslim country of the Ibadaya sect but there are also some small Sunni and Shia communities. The Omanis are very tolerant of other ethnic and religious groups and historically have had few conflicts with external groups of people.
Photograph taken in one of Oman's "abandoned villages" where this man has taken his family to show them their ancestral home.
An Omani Family
Who are the Omani?
The Omanis, or citizens of Oman, derive their ancestry from various sources, primarily Arabian tribes but also from Baloch, East African and Indian sources. The Balochs, an ethnic Iranian people, migrated from Balochistan to Oman a few centuries ago, largely as mercenaries to help fight against the Portuguese. Today they comprise 25 to 40% of the population of Oman, yet maintain their cultural and linguistic heritage. Oman’s East African heritage is a result of its role in the slave trade. As a seafaring country, Oman had close ties with the East African coast and a 19th century Sultan even built his primary residence in Zanzibar and ruled Oman from these distant shores. Ethnic Banyans and Khojas came to Oman from India in the 16th century, largely as merchants and many of their descendants are still common today in the souks of Muscat.
Arabic is the official language of Oman but Balochi, Swahili, Urdu and Farsi are also widely spoken. Despite Oman’s diverse tribal background, the people think of themselves primarily as Omani, or nationals of their country. Only the people in the southern province of Dhofar are considered distinct and closer to the people of neighboring Yemen.
Rural Omanis are primarily farmers (dates, limes, livestock) or fishermen whereas many urban dwellers are related to the oil, petroleum and liquefied gas industry. Oman is a Muslim country of the Ibadaya sect but there are also some small Sunni and Shia communities. The Omanis are very tolerant of other ethnic and religious groups and historically have had few conflicts with external groups of people.
Photograph taken in one of Oman's "abandoned villages" where this man has taken his family to show them their ancestral home.