As Omani Women’s Day is celebrated this week, on October 17, the contribution of women to the economic and cultural life of Oman will be noted by many.
Another very significant feature is the role that women in Oman play in the literary field – inventing new forms of writing, creating new platforms to disseminate their work, and using literature in innovative ways that reach out to the public, especially to the younger audience.
When Dr Jokha al Harthi won the Man Booker International Prize in 2019 for the best novel in translation for her novel ‘Celestial Bodies’, it could be said that Omani literature had well and truly arrived in the world stage.
But this did not happen in a vacuum. Right from the 1970s, women started to explore various forms of writing, including poetry, memoirs, novels, and they have now leveraged writing for its therapeutic potential as well.
From novelists like Badriya al Shihhi, HH Sayyidah Ghaliya al Said, Bushra Khalfan and Huda Hamed to poets like Nasra al Adawi, Hamdah al Shamsi, and the award winning Aisha al Saifi, the world of women’s writings in Oman is fertile, ranging in style from classical poetry, novels, children’s books and memoirs.
Traditional writing by Omani women explores the everyday social lives of people, especially women, who overcome challenges to make a place for themselves in society.
Recently, one of the important developments for women writers is the way that they have added a community aspect to their work. This is linked to their firm belief in the social role of literature. Some writers have established forums where women can share their work and participate in workshops to hone their craft.
Aisha bint Abdullah al Seraihiyah, for example, acts as a focal point in Dhofar Governorate for young writers who participate in various workshops to nurture their passion for writing. The Noon Al Niswa Cultural Council initiative brings aspiring women writers together to incubate their ideas until they feel ready to share their work with the world. Al Sehaihiyah also believes in the power of literature to create social awareness and empower women by giving them self-confidence and agency.
This is a belief that is shared by Nasra al Adawi as well. A poet and a practicing poetry therapist, Al Adawi firmly asserts the power of literature, especially poetry, to heal and ensure mental health.
Children’s books and literature as therapy are now becoming popular ways in which writing is being re-invented for the digital age. Along with traditional poetry, novels and memoirs, there is a corresponding rise in working with youngsters who are more comfortable with online forums.
Books with a social message on issues like bullying and technology addiction are being written using friendly forms like pictures and big letters to attract young readers. Introducing young learners to reading through book clubs, book sharing libraries and author interactions are all different ways of encouraging reading among youngsters in Oman.
The literary scene in Oman remains encouraging and fertile. Through their writings, women continue to take inspiration from the rich history and varied natural beauty of Oman to depict aspects of personal and social lives.
Not only are women prospering as creative writers, they are also making their mark as intellectuals, reflecting on society, its transformations and the implications of these changes on their identity.
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