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

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