{"id":14155,"date":"2024-09-26T02:05:51","date_gmt":"2024-09-26T02:05:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant\/?p=14155"},"modified":"2024-09-26T02:05:51","modified_gmt":"2024-09-26T02:05:51","slug":"min-on-music-journey-no-92-sultanate-of-oman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.min-on.org\/zh-hant\/14155\/min-on-music-journey-no-92-sultanate-of-oman\/","title":{"rendered":"Min-On Music Journey No. 92: Sultanate of Oman"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to Min-On\u2019s Music Journey! Today, the Min-On Concert Association and the Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to Japan welcome you to Oman, a country located at the southeastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula.<\/p>\n

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Travel guide for Oman<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Stroll along the beautiful streets of Muscat<\/p>\n

\u2022 Hike the largely unexplored region of Wadi Shab<\/p>\n

\u2022 Enjoy the traditional music of Oman<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Oman has a long and prosperous history as a maritime nation surrounded by the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. The country\u2019s coastline extends over 3,165 km, and Sinbad the Sailor \u2013 who appears in the Arabian Nights \u2013 is said to have set sail from the port city of Sohar in Oman.<\/p>\n

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Maintaining “omnidirectional peaceful diplomacy”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Oman is a peaceful nation, one of few globally with a stance of “omnidirectional peaceful diplomacy.” Under the policy adopted by the late Sultan His Majesty Qaboos bin Said, the country’s foreign policy is based on peace and dialogue, and has maintained a state of stability free from conflict and terrorism for the past 50 years.<\/p>\n

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Oman’s foreign policy, which contributes to solving problems and maintaining stability not only within the region but also throughout the Middle East, is highly recognized around the world. This fundamental policy has been inherited by the Sultan of Oman His Majesty Haitham bin Tarik, and the nation’s presence in the Middle East region continues to grow. As a maritime nation that has extended its interactions with the rest of the world, its people are also characterized by their gentle and open nature. Also, while Islam is the nation’s state religion, it is also tolerant of different cultures and religions.<\/p>\n

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Muscat, a city surrounded by picturesque mountains<\/strong><\/p>\n

Muscat is Oman\u2019s largest port, located on the Gulf of Oman, and also serves as the country\u2019s political, economic and cultural center. Muscat translates to “a beautiful land floating in a valley” and is surrounded by 2,500-meter-high mountains. As its name implies, the city offers spectacular views.<\/p>\n

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Muscat’s architecture is characterized by white, low structures with Arabian-style windows and roofs. The uniform cityscape gives a beautiful, chic impression, creating an exotic atmosphere that makes visitors feel like they\u2019ve stepped back in time.<\/p>\n

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In particular, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque located in the heart of Muscat has an especially powerful presence. The mosque features majestic Islamic architecture and elaborate carvings, and is decorated with one of the world’s largest Persian carpets. It holds great value not only as a place of worship, but also as an architectural monument.<\/p>\n

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It\u2019s highly recommended to visit at dusk, when the mosque is beautifully illuminated.<\/p>\n

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Beautifully interwoven sea, mountains and nature<\/strong><\/p>\n

Oman has a diverse natural environment with beautiful seas, mountains and lush plateaus. Let’s take a tour of some of the sites where visitors can appreciate nature\u2019s rich beauty.<\/p>\n

\u25a0 <\/strong>Wadi Shab<\/strong><\/p>\n

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“Wadi” means river valley in Arabic. There are many such wadis in Oman, with one of the most popular being Wadi Shab, located 150 km east of Muscat. The rugged rocky mountains, clear emerald-green mountain streams and untouched natural landscape attract many visitors.<\/p>\n

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\u25a0 <\/strong>Falaj Daris<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Falaj” refers to a traditional irrigation system that joins the bottom of a well with a horizontal tunnel. Falaj also means “to share nice things,\u201d an important facet of the infrastructure that has provided people with a sense of well-being for more than 2,000 years in Oman’s desert landscapes.<\/p>\n

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The falaj irrigation system uses highly sophisticated technology, including civil engineering techniques that utilize slight differences in elevation and sundials to ensure equal control of water volume. It is also a system that symbolizes Oman\u2019s exceptional spirit of “coming together to support one another.”<\/p>\n

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Of the more than 3,000 falaj irrigation systems in the country, five have been registered as UNESCO World Heritage sites. The oldest of these is considered to be the Falaj Daris.<\/p>\n

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Oman\u2019s music culture<\/strong><\/p>\n

A unique music culture has developed in Oman as a result of the exchange of diverse civilizations spanning India, Persia, East Africa and the Orient. Today, new musical styles that incorporate pop, rock, jazz and other genres are also being created by young artists.<\/p>\n

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\u25a0 <\/strong>Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) opened in 2011 and is one of the most prominent opera houses in the Middle East. It was designed in the name of a former Sultan who had a deep love for the arts. The eight-story structure has three basement levels and five above-ground floors, as well as a theater, art center, gardens and other facilities across the large 25,000 square-meter site.<\/p>\n

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World-class artists from Spain, Italy, the USA, Japan and other countries have been invited to perform here, marking the facility a symbol of Oman’s culture open to the international community.<\/p>\n

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\u25a0 <\/strong>Traditional music of Oman<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Oman, there are more than 130 different forms of traditional song and dance that have been passed down orally and through other practical means. Some of the most well-known examples include “Al-Maidan,” a song sung by sailors on long-distance voyages, and “Al-Wahoubi,” a dance performed in desert regions.<\/p>\n

Music from Oman – YouTube<\/a><\/h2>\n

The following traditional dances have also been designated as UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.<\/p>\n

(1) Al Azi <\/strong><\/p>\n

Traditional poetry recital performed by a group of individuals without instruments<\/em><\/p>\n