Many tales to tell

Wilayat of Adam is located about 234-km away from Muscat at the southernmost end of Al Dakhiliyah’s border with Sharqiyah Governorate. It is the last green oasis before the desert. The town comprises a number of villages that look together as one village. However, keeping the old as good as gold is an art that Oman is learning to master. Adam is an example for the growing awareness on the importance of maintaining heritage in the country. Adam is neighboured by wilayats of Manah, Izki and Bahla on the north, wilayats of Mahut and Haima in south, lbri from west and Al Mudhaibi in the east. [gallery columns='6' link='file' ids='379557,379554,379542,379536,379534,379533'] Some say that the name of Adam comes from ‘Adim Al Ardth’ (surface of the earth), while others say it refers to fertile land which is located in the middle of the desert. Houses in Harrat Al Jami, most magnificent specimen of Omani traditional architecture, are now under restoration by the Ministry of Heritage. The Harrat Al Jami is uninhabited now as the people there had begun to leave the place some 30 years ago. There are many other harrats (neighbourhoods) that consist of mud houses like Al Rogha, Al Rahba, Al Ain, Bani Wael, Hisn Al Hawashim, Al Nahda, Al Alaya, Al Qala, Al Sumairat, Bani Shaiban, Al Aneb and Al Shuaibah. Most of the houses have inscriptions and decorations on their walls. There is also an amazing maze of lanes separating the houses, some of them wide while others narrow. The harrats are surrounded by date palms and verdant farms which provide a picturesque setting for the neighbourhoods. The wilayat has a watchtower, an old Holy Quran’s school. many forts and castles. There are three springs in the Wilayat of Adam; two of them, Rakhim and Jandali, are located at the foot of Jabal Salakh, while Nama is located on the banks of Wadi Halfain. Adam’s inhabitants are engaged in iron works, weaving palm leaves, wool weaving, bee keeping and making of Omani sweets. Adam is the birthplace of many scholars and leaders like Ahmad bin Said al Busaidi, the first ruler of Oman and founder of the Al Said dynasty. Adam’s deserts are rich in minerals and oil. As Adam is home to a vast desert, it becomes the Bedouin’s destination during the summer season. Adam has attracted many visitors to explore the nomadic life practiced by these Bedouins.