Colors of Masirah - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

If you decide to come to Masirah Island, remember that it’s a Muslim state. It’s worth noting that Oman is one of the most socially progressive countries in the bay. Women here can annul the marriage on their own initiative. It shouldn’t be necessary only because of husband’s affair but just because they understood they’re not right for each other. Moreover, women can also work in any sphere, ranging from police to taxi driving. Besides, they are not obliged to get married at the age of 14-15, so they can actually get a higher education and only after that start their own family. All in all, locals are not intended to impose their religion on other people and they have no negative attitude concerning various religions. A man praying right on the street is quite a rare occasion here on the island. Nevertheless, local people belong to the culture that provides certain restrictions. For example, if you come to a local bank or a post office, you’ll see that women and men are serviced in separate windows. Besides, women take backseats in a taxi while in a routed one they sit in the front.

Even though locals might seem to keep themselves to themselves, they actually don’t mind to communicate with a stranger. Still, there are some taboo topics: religion, laws, private life, etc. You can, for instance, ask something about a person’s family, and it’s pretty ok to ask a woman about her husband and children. But what you really must not do is criticizing the Sultan – absolutely all local people here acknowledge his authority, so any negative statement towards the monarch would be perceived highly negative.

Men shake each other’s hands or kiss on both cheeks when meet. Concerning women, one has a right to shake her hand or somehow touch her only if her husband (in case if here’s with her at the moment) and she herself agree with it. A hand move or a horn are considered to be a common greeting of women (and the ones with covered faces too). Copyright www.orangesmile.com

A peculiar fact: unlike on the neighbouring countries, here a woman herself decides whether she wants to wear traditional Islamic dress, not her husband or father. Moreover, women here on the island can hold high positions as well. About a half of the local female population have a job and earn money nowadays just like men. At the same time, polygamy is still allowed. However, it doesn’t mean that every man here has his own harem. One man can have no more than four wives. It’s pretty complicated to support even two wives, as Muslim laws require equality of gifts. It means that if a husband wants to present one of his wives a piece of jewellery, then he has to buy it for his other wives too.

It’s better not to try to pretend to be one of the locals wearing their traditional clothes. Though nobody would say anything to you directly, still it’s not encouraged here. Women who would decide to wear short shorts and tank tops might attract unwilling attraction.

One more point you have to remember is that regardless of how marvellous local mosques are, one who is not Muslim is not allowed to enter them under no circumstances.

Locals are extremely hospitable. To decline an invitation into one’s house means to insult a host. Entering local houses, you should take off your shoes and then follow the orders of people who have invited you. People here eat sitting right on the floor, drinks tea and coffee, and eat lots of fruit. They will constantly refill your cup, and you don’t have a right to refuse. However, if you want to show the host that you highly appreciate his hospitality and you just want no more food or drink, shake a cup in your hands. Don’t forget that a left hand here is a «dirty» one, so never take food or pass money with it.

Another significant fact: hardware stores are forbidden on the island. If you want to purchase alcohol, it’s better to do in a hotel bar or in touristic areas. In addition, locals are exceedingly non-punctual. Furthermore, people here prefer to start and finish working early, so, usually, everything’s closed already at 4 p.m. You can find English-speaking population only in the touristic areas. People here communicate with each other pretty quiet and not too emotional. However, locals greatly celebrate Muslim holidays, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha especially (the celebration dates of these holidays depend on the holy month Ramadan). Ramadan – takes place on December-January – influences on the working hours of all the local services, shops, entertainment places, and even state organizations. Furthermore, the International Dance Festival takes place here annually.