The Dhofar region is subdivided into 9 wilayats. Its climate is dramatically different to the rest of Oman due to the effects of the monsoon rains (khareef) which arrive during the summer months, creating humidity and moderate temperatures of around 30 degrees Celsius. As a consequence, the area becomes lush and green, with waterfalls and rivers feeding the surrounding pastures. The mountain ridge, which receives the most rain, stretches for 400 km from east to west. During the khareef, springs gush forth and provide plentiful water supplies for much of the rest of the year. The fresh greenery is ideal for cattle grazing and livestock rearing is an important occupation in the area.
One of the most popular crafts is making majmars, the Dhofari-style incense burners, which are decorated in yellow, green, blue and red geometric designs.
The Dhofari people started large scale exploitation of frankincense 8000 years ago. Dhofari frankincense has played a very important role in commercial enterprises between the Arab regions and the Asian and African civilisations. Ancient Sumerian inscriptions refer to bokhur (incense) and it is thought that this incense travelled by ship from Oman to Sumer, Bahrain and parts of Iraq.
At the beginning of April each year, labourers harvest the crop of frankincense by making incisions in the olibanum (frankincense) tree. A sticky, milky white resin congeals on the trunk of the tree, which is harvested 14 days later. A second harvest will then be gathered, but this is generally of a lower standard to the initial batch. A third harvest releases a 'prime quality' frankincense which is yellow. One tree can yield between 10 - 20 kg of frankincense per season. The annual harvest of Dhofari frankincense can be as much as 7,000 tonnes which is worth around RO 3 million. Incense is used at Arabic wedding and birth ceremonies, as well as by the Vatican and Roman Catholic churches across the world.
Frankincense is not only used as incense, it also has certain medical properties. The people of Dhofar will add a few lumps of olibanum to their drinking water, which they believe acts as a diuretic and cleanses the kidneys. It is used to staunch internal and external bleeding, to aid in fat elimination and to cure forgetfulness. Aromatherapists use frankincense oil as an aid to depression and in Salalah, it is customary to waft the incense around the home before the household awakes in order to bring harmony to the inhabitants through the day. Frankincense also provides the added bonus of being an insect repellent.
* Scripture Prayers for the Arab, Dhofari in Oman.
Profile Source: Etnopedia Copyrighted © Used with permission |
Global Prayer Digest: 2014-12-18 |
People Name General | Arab, Dhofari |
People Name in Country | Arab, Dhofari |
Natural Name | Dhofari Arab |
Pronunciation |
doh-FAR-ee
|
Population this Country | 133,000 |
Population all Countries | 133,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 3 |
Alternate Names | Dhofari; Dhofari Arab; Zemba; Zofari |
People ID | 11546 |
ROP3 Code | 102582 |
Country | Oman | ||
Region | Africa, North and Middle East | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
Persecution Rank | 36 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||
Location in Country | Zufar governorate, Salala and nearby coastal regions. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Country | Oman |
Region | Africa, North and Middle East |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
Persecution Rank | 36 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Location in Country | Zufar governorate, Salala and nearby coastal regions.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Language | Arabic, Dhofari Spoken (133,000 speakers) |
Language Code | adf Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Unknown |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Arabic, Dhofari Spoken (133,000 speakers) |
Language Code | adf Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Arabic, Dhofari Spoken |
Primary Language: Arabic, Dhofari Spoken
Bible Translation Status: Translation Needed
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name |
---|---|
Audio Recordings | Arabic Bible Online |
Text / Printed Matter | Tools for faith conversations |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.40 %) |
0.45 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
98.84 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.16 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Christian Segments ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Anglican |
0.0 %
|
Independent |
0.0 %
|
Orthodox |
20.0 %
|
Other Christian |
0.0 %
|
Protestant |
20.0 %
|
Roman Catholic |
60.0 %
|
Photo Source | Copyrighted © 2022 Katiekk - Shutterstock All rights reserved. Used with permission |
Map Source | People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project. |
Profile Source | Etnopedia Copyrighted © Used with permission |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Read more |