Post by : Shakul

At the International Conference on Regions and Intangible Cultural Heritage in Tunis, Oman demonstrated its commitment to preserving intangible cultural heritage through the Literary Forum of Oman. The gathering united cultural experts, researchers, and institutions from various nations to explore innovative ways of safeguarding oral traditions and cultural identity.

Fahd bin Mahmoud Al-Rahbi, who leads the Oral History Department at the Literary Forum of Oman's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, gave an in-depth presentation highlighting the country's efforts in chronicling oral histories and nurturing traditional practices. His discussion illustrated Oman's organized method for documenting oral narratives as a sustainable knowledge base for future generations.

Al-Rahbi pointed out that Oman's dedication to cultural preservation aligns with international agreements, particularly the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage from 2003. By 2026, Oman successfully registered 18 elements on UNESCO's Representative List, which underscores its resolve to maintain its cultural identity and heritage.

The presentation introduced the UNESCO-Sultan Haitham Prize for safeguarding cultural heritage, which backs international endeavors to preserve diverse cultural traditions and oral histories facing the risk of extinction. Officials discussed how this initiative fosters global collaboration in this critical area.

The paper detailed how the Oral History Department has diligently collected narratives from Oman’s elderly, describing them as living repositories of vital cultural information about the nation's customs, social life, and historical contexts. The session presented various field studies and publications showcasing traditional Omani lifestyles, crafts, and practices from different regions.

Efforts to document endangered cultural practices were another focal point, including the historic aflaj irrigation methods, traditional threshing techniques, and linguistic studies on the Bathari language. Experts emphasized the significance of preserving cultural and linguistic diversity in Oman as part of its national heritage strategy.

Looking ahead, future initiatives were revealed to bolster cultural sustainability, such as creating a national centre for heritage collection and analysis, integrating intangible heritage research into academic programs, and translating Omani heritage works into languages like French, German, Spanish, and Chinese. Additionally, plans to host more oral history seminars and educate a new generation of researchers were announced, ensuring Oman's cultural legacy is documented for years to come.

#Oman News #Culture #Cultural Heritage