OMAN-Jewel on the Arabian Peninsula

This week we are studying Oman. To be precise, the Sultanate of Oman. Oman is a 1,000 mile long coastal plain at the southeast tip of the Arabian Peninsula lying on the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. It is bordered by the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. It is roughly the size of Kansas. The capital of Oman is Muscat.

Oman has a population of just 3,418,038, making it the 134th most populated country in the world. The nationality, referred to as Omanis, is made up of Arabs, Baluchis, South Asians (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi) and Africans. Most of the population follows the Islamic faith, with a small percentage practicing Hinduism. 75% of the population is Ibadhi Muslim while 25% follows other denominations (including Sunni Muslim, Shia Muslim and Hinduism). The official language of Oman is Arabic, followed by English, Baluchi, Urdu, and Indian dialects.

               
                                        

Oman has a monarchy government. The monarch has two significant duties: he is the chief of state and head of government. The current Sultan and Prime Minister (2009) is QABOOS bin Said al-Said He has held the position of Sultan since June 23, 1970 when he overthrew his father. He has also been the Prime Minister since June 23, 1972.

Compared to the world, Oman spends the most money on military activities - 11.4% of it's GDP on four military branches.

 

                                              

 

 

  

 Summer winds often become heavy sandstorms and dust storms. Oman also experiences periodic droughts. Other environmental issues include beach pollution stemming from oil spills and limited natural fresh water resources.

Oman relies heavily on its oil resources, which are diminishing. Hence, the economy is currently being transformed so that the oil sector contributes 9% to the GDP by 2020. Oman is seeking private foreign investors and planning to develop its gas, metal, petrochemicals and international transhipment industries.

Domestic workers and laborers are often mistreated and become victims of trafficking. Mistreatment of domestic workers consists of defaulting of wages, limits on traveling, custody of passports, and abuse. Oman was rated as a Tier 3 country for the second year in a row for failing to implement laws that punish trafficking offenses. Oman still lacks victim protection services and a methodical process to identify trafficking victims.

 

                                              

Forts and Castles are Oman's most striking cultural landmarks and, together with its towers and city walls, they have historically been used as defensive bastions or look-out points.   The Portuguese occupied Muscat, the capital of Oman for a 140 year period between 1508-1648. They arrived a decade after Vasco de Gama discovered the seaway to India. In need of an outpost to protect their sea lanes, the Europeans built up and fortified the city, where remnants of their colonial architectural style still remain. Rebellious tribes drove out the Portuguese, but were pushed out themselves a century later in 1741 by the leader of a Yemeni tribe. A brief Persian invasion a few years later was the final time Oman would be ruled by a foreign power.          Omani cuisine is a mixture of several staples of Asian foods. Dishes are often based around chicken, fish, and lamb, as well as the staple of rice. Most Omani dishes tend to contain a rich mixture of spices, herbs, and marinades. While Omani food varies within different regions of Oman, most dishes across the country have a staple of curry, cooked meat, rice, and vegetables. Soups are also common and are usually made from chicken, lamb, and vegetables such as smoked eggplant. The main meal is usually eaten in the middle of the day, while dinner is lighter.                                           Cuisine from all over the world can be found in Oman, including Asian, Indian, Middle Eastern, and other international tastes. Fast food chains are rising in popularity due to convenience and their family oriented style.   The Omani people are well known for their hospitality and offers of refreshment. To be invited into someone's home will mean coffee (kahwa), a strong, bitter drink flavored with cardamom, and dates or halwa, a sticky sweet gelatinous substance which is made from brown sugar, eggs, honey and spices. It can be flavored with many different ingredients, such as nuts, rosewater or even chocolate.   More substantial meals often have rice as the main ingredient, together with cooked meats. The main daily meal is usually eaten at midday, while the evening meal is lighter. This week we will cook a very traditional Omani dish called Maqbous.                                                                It is also sometimes called kabsa. It is a dish made  from a mixture of spices, basmati rice meat and vegetables. There are many kinds of kabsa and each kind has a uniqueness about it. The spices used in kabsa are largely responsible for its taste; these are generally black pepper, cloves, cardamom, saffron, cinnamon, black lime, bay leaves and nutmeg. The main ingredient that accompanies the spices is the meat, such as chicken, goat, lamb, camel, or sometimes beef, fish, and shrimp. The spices, rice and meat may be augmented with almonds, pine nuts, and onions.                                                               We will serve this with a popular beverage  in Oman called Laban. It consists of Yogurt(or buttermilk, ground cumin, crushed red pepper, salt, and a hint of lemon or lime and sprinkled with cardamom and pistachio nuts.  Sounds so refreshing and reminds me very much of my beloved Indian beverage, Salted Lassi.  I can't wait to get cooking!