Oman's History and Contacts with Other Cultures

From ancient times, Oman has maintained strong ties with other civilizations. An important station on the old East West Silk Route, it was a flourishing Indian Ocean commercial and maritime center right up until the end of the 19th century. Throughout history, it enjoyed cordial relations with several major world powers and through its pivotal role in promoting links with other peoples and civilizations- has been an active player in the Gulf, the Arab region and the wider world.

When Oman embarked upon its modern Renaissance in 1970, history had equipped it with all the essential background and elements for a prosperous future. Its leadership had a knowledge and understanding of the world around it, a people who were willing and able to shape their destiny by their own hand, and a vital geographical location that ensured it was able to make a significant and enduring impact on the international scene.

A country as old as history itself, over the ages Oman has made significant contributions to human civilization. It has been an influential maritime and political power, enjoying relations with countries as far-flung as China, the United States, Britain and France; its ambassadors were received with respect in the capitals of those countries centuries ago.

A 2nd century BC stone pot, found in the governorate of Buraimi

The common thread running through the different eras of Oman’s history, and linking its modern Renaissance with its prosperity in former times, is the ability of its leadership to establish national unity and cohesiveness and build a robust economy based on security, stability and competent, sophisticated political administration.

Historical studies have revealed extensive ties between Oman and the civilizations of the ancient East including China, India and Mesopotamia, as well as the Eastern Mediterranean, the Nile Valley and North Africa.

A 4th century BC necklace made of stones and shells, found at the Ras al Hamra archaeological site in Qurm, Muscat

Like other nations and peoples with distinctive histories and civilizations, Oman has passed through a succession of different historical periods. By the Middle Ages, the country had established itself as a prosperous seafaring nation sending dhows from its great port at Sohar to trade with merchants in far-flung destinations. However, this success attracted unwelcome attention from the outside world. This ‘attention’ coincided with a period of tribal turbulence in Oman when, from 1154 for a period of more than four and a half centuries, the Bani Nabhan ruled the central area of the country intermittently.

A UNESCO World Cultural and Heritage listed archaeological site, Al Baleed was a settlement during the Iron Age. The Land of Frankincense Museum can be seen on the right

Over the past two hundred and fifty-plus years, the Al Busaid state founded by Imam Ahmed bin Said in 1744, of which Sultan Qaboos bin Said is a descendant, has succeeded in making Oman the powerful and influential state we know today. However, the path to prosperity has not always run smoothly. There have been some periods of weakness, isolation and internal conflict which, for various domestic, regional and international reasons, led the country to turn in on itself and become cut off from the outside world. Thankfully, this situation came to an end in 1970 when the foundation stones of contemporary 21st century Oman were laid.

Oman’s names

Oman has been known by several names over the course of its history.

The best known are Magan, Mezoun and Oman, each of which has a specific cultural or historical connotation.

The Sumerians had extensive commercial and maritime ties with Oman and in their language the word Magan was associated with ship building and copper smelting; various Sumerian tablets refer to present day Oman as “The Land of Magan.”

Mezoun is derived from the word muzn, which means clouds and abundant flowing water, an indication that historically water was plentiful in Oman in comparison with neighbouring Arab countries. This could account for Oman’s agricultural prosperity and stability from earlier times, as well as the development of its civilization.

Frankincense from the Dhofar governorate helped promote cultural contacts between nations

The name Oman has also been linked to the migration of Arab tribes from a place in Yemen called ‘Uman’. Some of these tribes lived on the plains and earned their livelihood from agriculture and fishing. Others settled in the interior and desert regions working as herdsmen and shepherds. It has also been suggested that Oman may have been named after Uman the son of Abraham or Uman bin Saba, the son of Abraham’s son Joktan.

Helping to spread the message of Islam

Oman was among the first countries to embrace Islam voluntarily. The Prophet Muhammad sent ‘Amr bin al ‘Aas to the joint rulers of Oman at that time Jaifar and ‘Abd – the sons of Julanda bin al Mustakbir inviting them to accept the faith. The invitation was accepted and from that day forward Oman became a bastion of Islam, helping to spread the message to many parts of the world

During the early years of the Islamic mission Oman played a prominent role in the Wars of Apostasy which broke out after the death of the Prophet. It also took part in the great Islamic conquests by land and sea, particularly in Iraq, Persia and Sind, as well as several other countries in the region and beyond.

A beautifully illustrated old copy of the Holy Qur`an

However, Oman’s most notable achievements in this regard were through its extensive trading and seafaring activities in East Africa, especially during the 19th century, when it introduced and propagated Islam along much of the East African coast and in Central Africa. Omani seafarers also carried Islam with them as far as China and ports around south and East Asia.

At home, Islam and Islamic values remain an integral part of Omani society, creating a strong bond between its citizens.

The Ya’ruba era and the expulsion of the Portuguese

Although they faced strong resistance from the Omanis, in the year 1507, the Portuguese managed to seize control of large stretches of the coast. However, despite the unsettled political situation in the country at that time, neither Portugal nor any other power was able to extend its rule beyond these limited coastal regions, and the interior of the country as well as some coastal areas such as Sohar continued to provide Oman’s national resistance with the strategic hinterland it needed until it succeeded in ridding itself of the Portuguese after around a century and a half of occupation.

The accession of Imam Nasser bin Murshid as Imam of Oman in 1624 marked the start of Ya’ruba rule. Imam Nasser succeeded in uniting the country under his leadership for the first time in many years and, after equipping a powerful naval fleet, he was able to reduce Portuguese influence and free some of the coastal towns and cities from their control.

Imam Sultan bin Saif continued the offensive against the Portuguese and in 1650 his forces liberated Muscat. This heralded the decline of Portuguese power in the Gulf as whole, as Omani forces drove the Portuguese out of the region to the coasts of India and East Africa.

Al Busaid….restoring the nation’s glory and rebuilding a modern state

In 1744, the appointment of Imam Ahmed bin Said, Wali of Sohar and the surrounding areas, marked the start of a new era in Oman’s history that was to continue for over two hundred and fifty years to the present day. Imam Ahmed bin Said’s accession to the imamate of Oman was in response to the wishes of the influential people at that time, who acknowledged his courage, particularly in freeing the country from the Persian invaders.

Imam Ahmed bin Said, the founder of the Al Busaid state, went on to reunite the country, quench the fires of internal dissent and build up a large naval force as well as a huge merchant fleet, thereby reviving Oman’s maritime trading credentials as well as its political role in the region. In 1775, he sent around 100 vessels led by the great cruiser Al Rahmani to the northern Gulf, where they broke the Persian siege of Basra after appeals for assistance from the Wali of Baghdad.

Fort Mirani in the foreground and Fort Jelali in the background, built in 1587 and 1588 respectively

On the death of Imam Ahmed bin Said in his capital, Rustaq, in 1198 AH/1783 AD, he was succeeded by several distinguished imams and sultans who continued the Al Busaid rule. During the reign of his grandson Hamad (1199AH/1784 AD-1206 AH/1792 AD) the capital was moved from Rustaq to Muscat, where it remains to this day.

Throughout their history a strong sense of belonging to a single nation has united Omanis in the face of external threats and challenges. The continuation of Al Busaid rule since the middle of the 18th century to the present is another unifying factor; this has been particularly true during certain specific periods such as the reigns of Sayyid Said bin Sultan (1804-1856) and Sultan Qaboos, the architect of Oman’s contemporary development.