Aflaj, especially those that run over the valley and along mountain slopes, are the architectural marvel of Oman.
These water channels have helped in the distribution of this precious resource in remote areas for irrigation and domestic use.
The importance of Aflaj to communities in Oman is reflected in law. While one must hold water rights to use the Aflaj for irrigation purposes, all communities hold common water rights, which allow them to use the water from Aflaj for domestic purposes freely.
Moreover, the right to use water from a falaj extends beyond the members of its immediate community. Animals, or humans in need of water for individual use or for basic sustenance cannot be refused access to the Aflaj. While only remaining as elements of protected heritage today, defensive structures, such as watchtowers, were originally built to protect and watch over the Aflaj, such was their importance to communities.
Overhead Aflaj attracts a lot of tourists to Oman’s villages. This type of Aflaj was built with the aim of defying topographical obstacles. This type of water channel ensured that those who lived on mountain slopes had access to water to irrigate their farms and livestock. Some of them rest on concrete pillars to withstand flash floods from heavy rains.
“We dedicate one trip every month to discover the natural treasures of Oman. Here we enjoy talking with the people of rural areas. In every village we visit, they welcome us to their homes with dates, fruits and Omani coffee. This type of water channel attracts our attention and makes us wonder about the mechanisms that were used during construction during the past centuries,” an Indian visitor said.
“It is amazing when we follow these water channels. They lead us to pools and small waterfalls. It is terrific that the Omanis still rely on these channels to irrigate their farms and are proud of this unique architectural heritage,” she said.
Some of the overhead Aflaj are currently dry, not because of the lack of rain, but because they need maintenance.
“Many Omanis abandoned their villages after the droughts they suffered during the eighties and nineties. Aflaj were left without maintenance. Some of them collapsed, and their water sources dried up after dust and stones fell on them,” an Omani explained to the Observer.
Although the flow of water has stopped in some of these channels, they constitute tourist attractions in various wilayats of the Sultanate of Oman.
The traditional irrigation system in Oman dates back more than five thousand years. Despite the similarity of the Omani Aflaj, there is a great difference in many aspects, such as breadth, depth, flowing water quality, composition, and the nature of the lands in which they originated.
According to official statistics, there are more than 4,000 Aflaj in the Sultanate of Oman. These channels depend on springs and rainwater that fall on mountains.
During the summer period, visitors camp near Aflaj to beat the heat and enjoy fresh local fruits like dates and mangos.
TEXT & PHOTOS BY YAHYA AL SALMANI
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