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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

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101
Taghrud (Camel song) Shaykh Musallim bin Tafal al Mas'hali 05:03
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102
Azi (Praise song) n/a 05:05
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103
Razhah qasafiyah (Dance with weapons) n/a 05:12
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104
Wahhabiyah (Dance with weapons) Majis al-Shamaliyah 05:23
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105
Lewah (Dance with the oboe) Sulayman bin Walid Mawlah al-'Ajami 05:02
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106
Malid (Praising the Prophet) Muhammed bin 'Ali bin Yusif al-Sidrani 12:26
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107
Tamburah (Voice of the lyre) Hadid bin Jum'ah al-Farsi 08:24
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108
Shubani (Songs of the sailors) Club "Progress" of 'Aybah ensemble 03:30
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109
Haryabuh (Pleading for safe return) Hadid bin Shamsah ensemble 07:45
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110
Sharh (Songs of happiness) Hadid bin Shamsah ensemble 04:47
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111
Bar'ah (Dance of youth) The Firqat Khalfan 03:45