Khareef or autumn is making way for Sarb or spring in Dhofar this week with abundance of sunshine, moderate weather, low humidity and clam sea and coloumrful flower beds in the making.
Sarb is the harvest season in the southern tip of the Sultanate of Oman when wildflowers scatter colour over the green carpet .
“Sarb is the beginning of yet another chapter of the beauty of the governorate, as it witnesses a state of stillness and tranquility after heavy, round-the-clock people movement in the peak days of the fall season,” says Abdul Fathah al Mashani, a Salalah resident.
The true beauty of Salalah during the season is a real treat to the senses of visitors.
Since time immemorial, people used to wait for Sarb for the celebrations outdoors where they stay till late night and make the most of the salubrious season. The residents of the region, along with the citizens, enjoy spending time in the picturesque natural scenery among the lush trees, waterfalls and streams. They spend their weekends outdoors until late hours of the night, and some of them prefer to spend the night in a safe and quiet atmosphere with traditional Omani coffee and dates.
Historically, one of the joyful occasions in this season for the people of Dhofar has been the return of travellers from across the sea after the waves have calmed down. People wear new clothes as if it were a holiday, and gather at social events such as weddings and circumcisions. Also, they used to celebrate with folk arts, especially Al Masha’ir during the days when camels were led from the plains to the mountains and valleys.
“Driving camels to greener pastures is one of the most famous social customs during the Sarb season since ancient times, and continues till this day. These camels descend with the beginning of the autumn season to the plains or head north behind the mountains in areas that do not receive autumn rains and remain in those places until the end of September because they do not adapt to the mountain terrain in the autumn season due to continuous rainfall and soil sliding,” adds Al Mashani.
Sarb, in general, is considered by the people of the governorate, as one of the best seasons ever. It brings prosperity as herds of sheep spread in abundance all over the mountain slopes during the season, especially in the eastern region adjacent to Mount Samhan. Sheep, goats, cows and camels give abundant milk due to the rich natural pastures that these livestock graze upon.
During the season, agricultural crops that were planted in the fall season, such as beans and what is known locally as dujer, as well as cucumbers and Dhofar corn, are harvested, which provides them with food throughout the other seasons of the year. This is why in the past, they rejoiced at the arrival of the spring season due to its association with the harvest time.
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