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[veiledsentiments]

[MuscatGary]

[veiledsentiments]

I suspect that a few might have been slaves, but most are Omani and/or were spouses thereof. Oman ruled down there for a long time... long enough to have families for a few generations. They definitely have a more East African personality and culture (and good English).

VS

[MuscatGary]

[veiledsentiments]

Actually hundreds, if not thousands of Omanis lived in East Africa for generations and were invited back by the Sultan when he took the throne. He appreciated that they had had the advantage of better educations and language skills.

And, of course, over the years that Oman ruled there, slaves were brought up to Oman, and it is easy to see in even many of the non-Zanzibari students. I had students tell me that their family slaves were now free, but had stayed with the family. (not surprising as what other family had many of them known?).

It is this sort of detail about Oman's history that makes it such a fascinating country.

VS

[Ajmal]

[omanoman]

wow, that post from Tazz is so completely wrong, at least in the context of any of the larger towns and cities here, that i wonder if we are talking about the same country.

I can't believe that anyone who has lived here for any length of time would truly have that perspective - it must be a case of living with extreme blinders on, never leaving the bubble of one's own pre-conceived ideas about people here.

I mean just go to any college, mall, cafe, restaurant, souk, etc not to mention the actual social events that young Omanis get themselves involved in. Those young female entrepreneurs and volunteers who create charitable events for example, small businesses, clubs and organizations - are they cloistered in the patriarchal home, yearning for freedom?

[Whatever will be]

Example of freedom/restrictions of movement:

A female student was unable to attend final exam. She explained that no-one in her family was able to drive her to college. When I asked her why she didn't catch a taxi, she replied "Haram".

There are regular trips to the desert/ Wahiba sands with overnight camping which are attended by Omani males but never any females. When asked why they don't bring their women, the answer was "She has to stay home to look after the children."

I regularly see Omani males in bars (Safari Club, Route 66, Traders Vic, Feeney's, O'Malley's, Leftbank, Lazy Lizzard Lounge, etc.) and drinking alcohol but I'm yet to see Omani females doing the same.

[Tazz]

Regarding omanoman's comment-no, I don't wear blinkers mate, or a nose sock-ain't no malls or places of social gathering in Ibri where I live....females are escorted by male family members when they venture outside the family home 24/7-fact. The female students who inhabit the dormitory accommodation aren't even permitted to visit the shop across the road unaccompanied. My statements are based upon observation, not preconception.

[MuscatGary]

I think this thread is hitting the two countries problem. The old name of the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman was more accurate. Muscat is so different to the interior. For those who refuse to accept that Omani women go out drinking just visit the al Ghazal bar in the Intercontinental and wait or ask the bar staff to confirm. Of course some will still not accept it as it clashes with their wish for Omanis to be different.

[1st Sgt Welsh]

[veiledsentiments]

Oman is little different from any country is having widely disparate norms - it comes down to rural/village versus "the big city." Obviously the situation for women in the villages differs greatly from the "bright lights" of Muscat. And the portion of the culture that one sees in one's college or village isn't necessarily representative of the whole country.

Not to mention the cultural upheaval of the modernization that started in 1970 when Sultan Qaboos took the throne. His insistence on the sexual integration of university level and that women needed to be free to work to help the country to progress has brought significant change already.

It is always problematic to bring one's own cultural expectations to any country. If anyone has spent any time getting to know the young women of this country... their dreams and wishes mixed with the expectations of family and culture... you would realize that things are not quite what you thought. You will find out that these young women don't share our wants or needs. I've watched them take over tertiary education in the Gulf. Any changes that come will come from them... on their time.

VS

[MuscatGary]

[1st Sgt Welsh]

[veiledsentiments]