Everything about The Dhofar totally explained
The
Dhofar (
Arabic ظفار Ẓufār) region lies in Southern
Oman, on the eastern border of
Yemen. Its
mountainous area covers 99,300 km² and has the population of 215,960 as of census 2003. The largest town in the region is
Salalah. Historically, it was the chief source of
frankincense in the world. However, its frankincense is now mostly used locally. (
Somalia is now the leading exporter.)
While Arabic speakers from the dominant
Omani culture have come to live in the province, especially the larger cities and towns, Dhofar has been the traditional homeland of many tribespeople speaking a variety of
South Arabian Semitic languages. One of the largest - spoken by the
Qara (Ehkelô),
Shahra,
Barahama,
ِAl Mashaikh and
Bathira mountain tribes - is called
Shehri - popularly referred to as
Shahri people or
mountain talk. It is closely related to
Mehri in
Yemen. Other indigenous groups speaking smaller languages such as Bathari live in the coastal towns of
Shuwaymiya and
Sharbithat. The
Harasis, speaking
Harsusi, number 1-2,000 and live in
Jiddat al-Harasis.
Al-Mahara in Yemen and Dhofar in Oman are the only parts of south
Arabia directly exposed to the South East
monsoon from mid August to late September or early October; this is known as the
khareef. As a result, it has a lush green climate during the monsoon season and for sometime after until the vegetation loses its moisture. Dhofar's temporarily wet climate contrasts sharply with the neighboring barren
Empty Quarter Desert. The
Salalah plain was once a well cultivated area with a sophisticated irrigation system. During
World War I it was fertile enough to produce food and grain to supply a large proportion of the requirement of the
British Army fighting in
Mesopotamia.
A counter-insurgency campaign was fought here by the
Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces (SAF) 1965-1975 against
guerrilla fighters of the Marxist Popular Front for the Liberation of Oman and the Persian Gulf (PFLOAG), supported by Communist
South Yemen after that territory's independence. It aimed to depose the Sultan. The Sultan's forces, assisted by the
United Kingdom,
Iran,
Jordan and
India, prevailed, and once the campaign was declared over in December
1975, the active remainder of PFLO forces surrendered.
In
Mormon culture, Dhofar is the most popular traditional location of the
Book of Mormon land of
Bountiful. This association isn't an official
LDS Church doctrine, however.
Dhofar is a tribal community, home to many ancient tribes. The Arab tribes include Kathiri tribes such as Al Shanfari, Al-Rawas, Al-Marhoon, Al-Fadhil, Al-Hadhri, Al-Hubais, Al-Rashdi other Arab tribes such as Al-Hashmeis, Al-Mashaikh such as: Al Shaikh Saad (Taj Al Arfeen)Al Mahfodh Al Shaikh, Al Shaikh Saad, Al Shaikh AlAfeef, Ahmed bin Afeef, Thani bin Afeef), Ahmed bin al Al Shaikh al Jahfely, Ali Mohammed, Baween, Bawzir, Bakret, Baabad, Baesahaq, Bayqoob, and other tribes such as Al Yafei and Al Qara. The Qara/ Jebbali tribes include Al-Mashani (better known for Mazoon Al-Mashani, mother of the Sultan of Oman), Bait Said, Bait Tabouk, Bait Kashoob,bait Qatan, Jabob, Al-Amri, AL-SHARI and more.
It has been recently discovered that the Dhofar region is rich in
meteorites.
Districts
Dhofar governorate consists of ten
districts (
wilayat):
Further Information
Get more info on 'Dhofar'.
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