Beyond Theoretical Education: The Prospects for National Wealth in Dhofar

Dhofar region in southern Oman possesses a wealth of livestock. This wealth is managed traditionally by different Dhofari groups in a distinct landscape and ecological conditions. By the seventies, development addressed all aspects of live in the Sultanate. Education turned out to be a prime objective in development plans. In Dhofar, young generations of pastoralists found their way into education. It is known that the route of education starts directly from primary school level to the university level. Consequently, theoretical university education detach and disengage young Dhofaris from their forefathers’ traditional profession and most of all their wealth. Dhofar’s livestock is unequivocally a national wealth that needs to be invested and developed by young Dhofari generations, trained in modern scientific management in order to investment in Dhofar’s livestock . Therefore, it is a call for a focused education and training to address the potential of the region and its wealth. The paper attempts to draw attention to a situation which is taking place in Dhofar region and proposes certain recommendations

A Folk Story from Dhofar A Pathway to Indigenous Knowledge

Folktales serve certain aspects and involve meaningful intentions in the society. This paper assess a Dhofari folk story in Oman. The story denotes the significance of folk explanation for the first emergence of poultry in Dhofar. It compares the beautiful coloured bird the Arabian partridge, Alectoris melanocephala in Dhofar’s environment with the common domestic chicken Gallus domesticus. The paper concludes that the folktales target the conservation of the society’s traditions, educating and enlightening the society’s members especially the young generations and most all demonstrates the faculty of folk explanation. Therefore, the paper urges that these folktales must be documented and studied, since they represent a valuable key part in the Omani cultural heritage

Traditional Camel Veterinary Treatment Among the Bedouins of Sultanate of Oman: A Case of Recurrent Miscarriages

In Oman, Bedouins have developed their own ways of providing medical care for their camels. This indigenous knowledge must have evolved sometime after the domestication of camels around 3000 BC. This paper documents a case of treating a female camel suffering from recurrent miscarriages in al Naffas at al Mudaibi area in the interior of Oman

Traditional Camel Veterinary Treatment Among the Bedouins of Sultanate of Oman: A Case of Recurrent Miscarriages

In Oman, Bedouins have developed their own ways of providing medical care for their camels. This indigenous knowledge must have evolved sometime after the domestication of camels around 3000 BC. This paper documents a case of treating a female camel suffering from recurrent miscarriages in al Naffas at al Mudaibi area in the interior of Oman.

Hematophagous Flies in Dhofar (Sultanate of Oman): A Limiting Factor and a Potential Pathogenic Vector

In Dhofar, pastoralists take certain precautionary measures against hematophagous flies: Haematobia minuta Bezzi, Musca crassirostris Stein and Forcipomyia (lasiohelea) whitcombei Boorman. Through their feeding on domesticated animals, these flies impede pasturing in certain areas during the rainy season (Khareef); hence they act as a limiting ecological factor and a custodian of the flora. The possibility that these flies could be potential pathogenic vectors has not been investigated in Oman, although in other parts of the world they are recognized as carriers of disease agents. The paper draws attention to this issue in Dhofar

Camels in Rock Art Scenes in Dhofar

The region of Dhofar in southern Oman is rich in rock art scenes that widely portray the camel. This paper examines these rock art scenes and looks into their cultural signification. It examines the camel scenes to highlight this animal’s characteristics and its role in the economy, trade and transport. Furthermore, the paper draws from an ongoing ethnoarchaeological study to establish certain analogies in order to explain the significance of these scenes and their denotation. The study regards the scenes as a representation of a wide spread rock art camel culture that parallels traditional camel culture in Dhofar.

Old Ways in a Changing Space: The Issue of Camel Pastoralism in Dhofar

In the Arabian Peninsula, the Dhofar region is rich in camels. This national wealth has always been administered by traditional nomadic pastoral management, which must have evolved in Oman with the introduction of camels as domesticates in prehistoric times. In this region, camels have always depended on the free grazing system which is governed by tribal territoriality. Today, Dhofar is experiencing an extensive process of development. Land value has increased immensely, to the extent that it cannot be used for camel pastoralism. Furthermore, traditional camel management has always been directed to meet requirements of a subsistence economy. It has never managed to convert to the organization of political economy. This paper intends to raise the alarm that national wealth is endangered by certain challenges. The paper proposes certain ideas that might assist in safeguarding and investing in a national asset