Skip to main content

Oman: Traditional Arts of the Sultanate of Oman

Various Artists
Oman: Traditional Arts of the Sultanate of Oman In the 19th century, Oman extended into parts of the East African coast, along the Arabian Gulf, and on the Makran coast of what is now Pakistan. Although the country’s borders are smaller today, the culture retains many influences from its former African, Asian, and Arabian territories and its location on major trade routes. In addition, the Sultan's court and government entities, including national television, play important roles as patrons of the performing arts.

The musicians on this album are professional or semi-professional, but historically, social music in Oman was performed by slaves or servants. Traditionally, there were many occasions for musical performance beyond life-cycle rituals and prayers, but some, such as communal manual labor, have lapsed into irrelevance with the modernization of Oman in the 1970s, according to the liner notes. The recordings on this album, made by Dieter Christensen in 1990 and 1991, range from chanting poetry and sword dances (razhah) to praise poetry and sailor songs, representing the country’s rich heritage and regional variations.

Track Listing

icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
101
Taghrud (Camel Song) Shaykh Musallim bin Tafal al Mas'hali 05:03
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
102
Azi (Praise Song) Group of male vocalists with percussion, Nizwa 05:05
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
103
Razhah qasafiyah (Dance with Weapons) Group of male vocalists with percussion, Nizwa 05:12
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
104
Wahhabiyah (Dance with Weapons) Majis al-Shamaliyah 05:23
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
105
Lewah (Dance with the Oboe) Sulayman bin Walid Mawlah al-'Ajami 05:02
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
106
Malid (Praising the Prophet) Muhammed bin 'Ali bin Yusif al-Sidrani 12:26
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
107
Tamburah (Voice of the lyre) Hadid bin Jum'ah al-Farsi 08:24
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
108
Shubani (Songs of the Sailors) Club "Progress" of 'Aybah ensemble 03:30
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
109
Haryabuh (Pleading for Safe Return) Hadid bin Shamsah ensemble 07:45
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
110
Sharh (Songs of Happiness) Hadid bin Shamsah ensemble 04:47
icon-circle-play svg-new-pause-button
111
Bar'ah (Dance of Youth) The Firqat Khalfan 03:45