Document

Oman : a seafaring nation.

Publisher
Ministry of Heritage and Culture.
Gregorian
2020
Language
English
Government Number
Ministry of Heritage and Culture
English abstract
Since the first edition of this book which came out at quite an early stage of the glorious Renaissance of Oman, many important events have taken place which aptly go to foster the historical significance of the Sultanate. It is, therefore, only fair to publish a glimpse, howsoever brief, of one or two of such events which have a close relation with Oman›s seafaring. As written somewhere in this book, Oman was the first Arab country to send an envoy to the United States of America: Al Haj Ahmad bin Na›aman al Ka›abi who arrived at New York in April 1840 in an Omani ship. The Ministry of National Heritage and Culture took pride to celebrate the 150th anniversary of this historical event, and the American government equally valued the anniversary and extended fruitful and effective co-operation towards the celebration which was patronised by the Ministry of National Heritage & Culture. Among other topics this book tells us of the role played by the city of Sohar in the external relations of Oman, particularly in the field of trade with China. It is also said that Sindbad the Sailor, started his legendary voyage to Canton from this Omani port city. This unique incident was cleverly picked upon by the Ministry of National Heritage & Culture, and in 1980 one of the highlights of the 10th Anniversary of the accession of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos to power was a ship Sohar going from Oman to China. Sohar was built in Oman exactly on the same pattern as the wooden ships in the medieval ages; no iron nails were used, the wood planks were joined by ropes made from coconut fibres. No compass, no modern gadgets were employed. The Captain depended on the old method: the stars to guide him. The aforementioned are not the only events of significance, there are a number of similar deliberations worth recording, but these two events can stand witness to the high degree of awareness that persists with the ruling elite of the enviable position held by the Omani navigators over the history of international maritime navigation.
Member of
ISBN
978-99969-3-179-6