Salalah in Oman and Switzerland, though geographically distant and culturally distinct, share an intriguing similarity in how their mountain communities interact with the natural environment, particularly during seasonal shifts.
The lush, green landscape that emerges in Salalah during the khareef season often draws comparisons to Switzerland's serene, mountainous terrain.
During khareef, the normally arid mountains of Salalah transform into verdant green spaces, akin to the famous pastures of Switzerland. The mountain dwellers in Salalah, much like Swiss farmers, traditionally migrate to the plains with their livestock — camels in Salalah and cattle in Switzerland — to escape the monsoon.
The damp conditions caused by the rains foster insects and parasites, posing health risks to both humans and animals, while the slippery mountains make it unsafe for livestock to roam freely.
As in Switzerland, this seasonal migration has long been a cultural tradition in Salalah, where returning to the mountains after the monsoon is marked by celebration.
Historically, both communities adorned their animals, wore new clothes, and engaged in festive processions accompanied by folk songs and dances. In Salalah, camels play a central role, much like cattle do in Switzerland, with decorated camels paraded during these celebratory returns to the mountains.
“My grandfather used to tell me stories of the grand processions, with camels draped in colourful fabrics and women singing folk songs,” shares Abdullah al Mahri, a resident of Salalah.
“It was a time of joy after months of rain, when everyone came together to celebrate returning to the mountains,” he says.
Another local, Salma al Shihri, reminisces, “I remember as a child, we would eagerly await the day we’d return to our mountain home. The adults would sing as they led the camels, and we children would run ahead, excited to see the green hills and blooming flowers after khareef.”
The monsoon season in Salalah brings not just life to the land but also a sense of festivity. The seasonal movement of people and livestock from mountains to plains and back again reflects a deep interconnection between nature, culture and community in both regions.
For the mountain dwellers of Salalah, much like their Swiss counterparts, the return to the mountains after khareef is a joyful occasion, signifying not just the end of the rainy season but a return to a more familiar, drier environment where both the land and the people can thrive again.
Both Salalah and Switzerland, despite their differences, highlight how geography, climate and tradition shape the lives and celebrations of mountain communities across the globe.
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