Dhofar Governorate

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This article is about the Dhofar region. For the football club, see Dhofar S.C.S.C..
Dhofar Governorate
Governorate
محافظة ظفار
Map of Oman with the Dhofar Governorate highlighted
Capital Salalah
Wilayat (districts) 10
Government
 • Governor Mohammad bin Sultan Al-Busaidi
 • Deputy Abdullah bin Aqeel Al-Ibrahim
Area
 • Total 99,300 km2 (38,300 sq mi)
Population (2010)
 • Total 250,000
 • Density 2.5/km2 (6.5/sq mi)
ISO 3166-2 211
Website http://www.dm.gov.om

The Dhofar (Ẓufār) Governorate (Arabic محافطة ظفار) is the largest of the eleven Governorates in the Sultanate of Oman in terms of area. It lies in Southern Oman, on the eastern border with Yemen. It is a rather mountainous area that covers 99,300 km2 (38,300 sq mi) and has a population of 250,000 as of the 2010 census.[1] The largest city, as well as capital of the Governorate is Salalah. Historically the region was the chief source of frankincense in the world.

People

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 languages most commonly spoken by the Qara (Ehkli), Shahrah, Barahamah, ِAl Mashaikh and Bathira mountain tribes is called Jeballi Language, (or "Shehri"). The Yemeni language of Mehri is somewhat linked to Jeballi. Other indigenous groups speaking smaller languages such as Bathari live in the coastal towns of Shuwaymiya and Sharbithat. The Harasis, speaking Harsusi, number 1,000–2,000 and live in Jiddat al-Harasis.

Dhofar's area geographically consists of coastal, mountainous, flat, and desert areas. Generally the people of Dhofar can be identified as either Jeballi (living in the mountains, or from the mountains), Badawi (living in the desert, or from the desert), or Hadhari (living in the cities or settlements).

Climate

During the Khareef (Monsoon) the mountains around Salalah are rainsoaked and shrouded in fog
Archaeologists excavating a Middle Stone Age complex in the Dhofar Mountains.

Dhofar has a tropical climate. Dhofar and a small portion of the northern tip of Yemen are directly exposed to the South East monsoon from mid-June to mid-September;[2] this is known as the Khareef. As a result, it has a lush green climate during the monsoon season and for some time 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.

History

It was ruled by the Kathiri Sultanate, Dhofar Sultanate and Ottoman Empire (1539–1829) before Omani rule.

Dhofar was a major exporter of frankincense in ancient times, with some of it being traded as far as China. The Chinese writer and customs inspector Zhao Rugua wrote on the origin of Frankincense being traded to China:

"Ruxiang or xunluxiang comes from the three Dashi countries of Murbat (Maloba), Shihr (Shihe), and Dhofar (Nufa), from the depths of the remotest mountains.[3] The tree which yields this drug may generally be compared to the pine tree. Its trunk is notched with a hatchet, upon which the resin flows out, and, when hardened, turns into incense, which is gathered and made into lumps. It is transported on elephants to the Dashi (on the coast), who then load it upon their ships to exchange it for other commodities in Sanfoqi. This is the reason why it is commonly collected at and known as a product of Sanfoqi."[4]

Ruxiang was the Chinese name for frankincense, and Dashi the Chinese name for Arabia.[citation needed] As of 1920, frankincense was being exported to India.[5]

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—the Dhofar Rebellion—was fought here by the Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces in 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 and several other socialist states including East Germany. It aimed to depose the Sultan. The Sultan's forces, assisted by the United Kingdom, Iran, and support from loaned officers and doctors from Pakistan and India,[6] prevailed, and once the campaign was declared over in December 1975, the active remainder of PFLOAG forces surrendered.

In Mormon culture, Dhofar is the most popular traditional location of the Book of Mormon land of Bountiful, from which the nomadic family of Lehi sailed in a ship constructed by his son Nephi, to the New World. This association is not an official LDS Church doctrine, however.

Culture and landmarks

Dhofar has a tribal community, and is home to many ancient tribes. The Arab tribes include Al-Hakli (Qara), Al Kathiri, Al-Hashmeis, Al-Yafei, Al-Mashaikhi, Al-Shahri, Al-Mahri, Al-Batahri, and Al-Barami. It also houses many expatriates. Still, Dhofar is not a rural region but, in fact, has a combination of cultures. It is a mixture of traditional Omani heritage and an international way of living.

The city of Salalah acts as the regions capital. It has an International Airport, one of the largest seaports in the Middle East, several resorts including Marriot & Crowne Plaza, well-kept streets, international retail chain outlets, more than five 3D cinemas under construction, a University, Colleges & Schools (both English and Arabic medium). But the main attraction of the region is the natural beauty that has been preserved despite its industries. Dhofar has been praised for its scenic beauty from time immemorial. The Dhofar region is rich in meteorites.

The Burj-al-Nadha Clock-tower is a popular landmark and is featured in the Dhofar Municipality coat of arms.

Districts

The Dhofar governorate consists of ten districts (wilayat):

  • Al-Mazyona (المزيونة)
  • Dhalkut (ضلكوت)
  • Mirbat (مرباط)
  • Muqshin (مقشن)
  • Rakhyut (رخيوت)
  • Sadah (سدح)
  • Salalah (صلالة)
  • Shalim and the Hallaniyat Islands (شليم وجزر الحلانيات)
  • Taqah (طاقة)
  • Thumrait (ثمريت)

Salalah is the capital of Dhofar Governorate.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Our Correspondent 12/06/2011 9:34 am. "Oman's population is 2,773,479: Census". Muscat Daily. Retrieved 2012-10-19. 
  2. ↑ "World Weather Information Service - Salalah". Worldweather.wmo.int. 2006-10-05. Retrieved 2012-10-19. 
  3. ↑ Ralph Kauz (2010). Ralph Kauz, ed. Aspects of the Maritime Silk Road: From the Persian Gulf to the East China Sea. Volume 10 of East Asian Economic and Socio-cultural Studies - East Asian Maritime History. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. p. 130. ISBN 3-447-06103-0. Retrieved December 26, 2011. "The frankincense was first collected in the Hadhramaut ports of Mirbat, Shihr, and Zufar whence Arab merchant vessels shipped it to Srivijaya, before it was then reexported to China. The term "xunluxiang" is derived form the Arab word "kundur". . . According to Li Xun, frankincense originally came from Persia.92 Laufer refers to the Xiangpu fftff by Hong Chu %Ws (? . . . Zhao Rugua notes: Ruxiang or xunluxiang comes from the three Dashi countries of Murbat (Maloba), Shihr (Shihe), and Dhofar (Nufa), from the depths of the remotest mountains. The tree which yields this drug may generally be compared to the pine tree. Its trunk is notched with a hatchet, upon which the" 
  4. ↑ Ralph Kauz (2010). Ralph Kauz, ed. Aspects of the Maritime Silk Road: From the Persian Gulf to the East China Sea. Volume 10 of East Asian Economic and Socio-cultural Studies - East Asian Maritime History. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. p. 131. ISBN 3-447-06103-0. Retrieved December 26, 2011. "resin flows out, and, when hardened, turns into incense, which is gathered and made into lumps. It is transported on elephants to the Dashi (on the coast), who then load it upon their ships to exchange it for other commodities in Sanfoqi. This is the reason why it is commonly collected at and known as a product of Sanfoqi.94" 
  5. ↑ Prothero, W.G. (1920). Arabia. London: H.M. Stationery Office. p. 84. 
  6. ↑ In the service of the Sultan - Ian Gardiner

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dhofar.
Saudi ArabiaEastern Province, Saudi Arabia
YemenAl Mahrah Governorate Al Wusta
   Dhofar Governorate  
Arabian Sea
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Coordinates: 18°00′N 54°00′E / 18.000°N 54.000°E / 18.000; 54.000

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