The old customs of Oman are facing challenges these days as people have become preoccupied with rapid life that contains no space for traditional celebrations and old customs.
Yet, some people in villages and small neighbourhoods are determined to take a stand against technology and new lifestyle by making sure that they consciously adhere to traditional customs and lifestyles preserved for generations.
One purpose of rebuilding the old neighbourhoods and villages in Oman is to preserve the history of the construction of these villages and the unique architectural methods. These houses are preserved to show to the people of today the lifestyle of the Omani people in the past across the eras.
Al Jammar neighbourhood in Samayil is one truly well-structured village, a result of the creativity of the Omanis who excelled in architecture and construction since early ages. The old houses, towers and forts which were built of clay and plaster with large wooden doors are a complete picture of beauty that one wouldn’t see anywhere else except in these old places.
In this neighbourhood, celebrating the old customs is still a priority. Besides the well-known Eid celebrations, people in al Jammar still celebrate the ninth of Dhul Hijjah annually, where people gather to distribute sweets and nuts to the children of the neighbourhood, to bring joy and happiness to the children and to promote social solidarity among the residents of al Jammar neighbourhood. They also celebrate other occasions like Qaranqasho.
Sulieman al Hinaei, a resident in al Jammar neighbourhood said “the visitor to this neighbourhood is fascinated by witnessing the ingenuity and engineering of the Omani man in his creativity in construction, building houses of multiple floors, entrances and courtyards of their homes, its unique architecture and its precise details to suit the life of the citizen in that period.
The great entrance gate to the neighbourhood is dated back to more than 250 years. The neighbourhood includes many historical landmarks like al Baz Tower, situated on the foothill of the mountain while surrounded by the houses in the village. The visitors can view the whole village from the top of the tower.
