Port of Call LAST UPDATE September 19, 2010
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August 20, 2010 Salalah, Oman – A Vibrant City Filled with Tradition
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August 20, 2010 marked Peace Boat’s second visit to Oman. Upon arriving to the port of Salalah, known as the heart of the Indian Ocean rim as it constitutes one of the major entry points to India, the Middle East and Africa, participants headed 15 km north to the city. Salalah is the second largest city in the Sultanate of Oman, and the traditional stronghold and birthplace of the Sultan Qaboos bin Said. Sultan Qaboos has taken Oman through a path of economic and political transformation that can be perceived even at first glance. When asked about his impression of Salalah, participant Yonemichi Tsuneo expressed that “everyone seems to be enjoying a self-sustaining life. In his view, “having a self-sustaining life is more important than maintaining a high standard of living.”
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Peace Boat’s visit coincided with the tenth day of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting. Since 99 percent of the Omani population in Salalah is Muslim, participants were able to experience a day during this time of fasting and prayer. While the city sat still from sunrise to sunset, the Sultan Qaboos Mosque was the main site of congregation for locals. The mosque was inaugurated just over a year ago and has a a prayer hall of 2,500 square meters and the capacity to accommodate 3,200 worshippers As expressed by participant Moriya Hitomi, “listening to the recitation of the Qur’an was memorable moment because it cannot be experienced in Japan.”
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Human activity in the land of Oman can be traced as far back as 12,000 BC. Salalah is an ancient city where traditional culture remains strong. Omani people usually dress in traditional clothes. Men wear the dishdasha, a white ankle-length robe and a skullcap, while women wear the abaya, a black ankle-length robe with a veil over their faces. For participants, embracing these traditions were means to transcend cultural boundaries. Karino Tsuyoshi bought a dishdasha and happily recalls, “when I put it on, the locals on the street called me ‘Omani, Omani’.”
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Salalah is known as the perfume capital of Arabia. The city has prospered from the production and trade of frankincense, which has been valued since ancient times. Guest Educator Kido Kazuo explained in a series of talks on world heritage and Oman that the oldest recollection of frankincense can be traced back to the Old Testament, where is revealed that the Queen of Sheba offered frankincense to King Solomon in exchange for wheat. While showing a picture of local people burning frankincense, Mr Kido pointed outs that the frankincense trees in Salalah are known for producing the finest quality sap. Accordingly, concentrated frankincense is traded in various markets of Salalah such as the Al Husn Souk, where participants enjoyed the exquisite scent of frankincense.