Traditional performances in Oman are not merely artistic expressions but are living histories of interactions between individuals, communities, and their environment. Each art form represents a part of the Omani culture and heritage.
Fans of these performances can easily tell the Omani's love for their traditional clothing, as men participate in wearing the Omani dishdasha, Mussar (a distinctive type of turban that Omanis are known for), and Khanjar. They sometimes accompany it with swords and occasionally guns, especially for performances that are based on Omani history with wars and the hardships they overcame throughout the ages. Women, meanwhile, dress in various Omani costumes reflecting different regions wearing silver and gold jewellery with it.
There, in the far reaches of southern Oman, where beauty, tradition, and art intertwine, women indulge wonderfully in one of the most splendid forms of festivity: the drum performance. They gather in sessions filled with delight and happiness, singing the most enchanting melodies.
This particular art is among the traditional musical arts that set Dhofar Governorate apart from other regions in the Sultanate. It has made the governorate a distinct musical entity in Omani traditional singing. Women's drumming is predominantly a feminine art, practiced by women of the region during social gatherings and national celebrations. The singing is accompanied by a feminine dual dance, where women participate fully adorned in charming clothes ranging from the distinctive Dhofari robe to various types of shining jewellery.
In the realm of drum performance, musical ensembles typically comprise a lead singer or vocalist, two percussionists who are adept at playing the rahmani and kasser drums, and a chorus of women engaged in both singing and dancing amidst applause. Modern musical instruments have made their way into this art form, finding common usage, including the violin, organ, oud, and qanun, alongside a diverse array of both ancient and contemporary drums and tambourines. This is a wonderful form of Musical composition’s contribution to the proliferation of modern musical ensembles.
In the drum dance, women step forward to perform in pairs, executing graceful and synchronized movements. Each one gracefully holds one end of the cloth covering her head. Their feet move in short, deliberate steps, while their movements harmonize, intertwining as if they were two halves of a whole. After completing their dance around the courtyard where the band sits, they sit down, making way for two other dancers to take their place.
As for singing, many Dhofari artists, such as Awadh Al-Qaity, Jamaan Diwan, Omar Jabran, and others, have excelled in this art form, known for its beautiful melodies and captivating vocals.
Recently, amidst the sands of the Arabian Peninsula, this art has blossomed into a celebrated phenomenon, ignited by the radiant performance of a Dhofari enchantress girl. With each precise movement and dulcet note, she weaves a tapestry of beauty, capturing the collective imagination and igniting a fervent admiration that echoes through the dunes, inviting all to join in a harmonious dance to its celestial melody.
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