Omani rich heritage, nature's beauty

The natural life varies in different mountainous villages in the Wilayat of Sohar in the Governorate of North Al Batinah where nature is characterized by its beauty and lush oases, in addition to the ancient heritage and a bright present lived by the citizens of those villages in various valleys of Sohar and its mountainous regions.

Sham in the Wilayat of Sohar is one of the mountainous villages famous for its unique location and marvelous nature. It is about 46 kilometers to the west of Sohar new bridge toward the road to Hibi.

Sham village is named after the gallantry and generosity of its people. The village, located at the foothills of the mountains, is characterized by its picturesque nature, archaeological sites, tourist attractions and towering mountains.

Among the most important tourist sites of the village are the various types of date palms and beautiful crops of all kinds, charming Aflaj "ancient irrigation system; water channels" and wadis "valleys" that are flooded with water, as well as the existence of the old village mud houses of our ancestors.

Sham village is famous for its old monuments, the most famous of all is the very old Al Jafar Mosque. Tourists come to the mosque from different regions in the Sultanate and from abroad.

Sham village enjoyed many of the achievements of the Blessed Renaissance of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said. The villagers enjoy all the services that are enjoyed by citizens in various governorates of the Sultanate.

The village is characterized by a notable commercial activity as there are many shops for the sale of foodstuffs and others to sell vegetables and fruits, in addition to cafes, restaurants, barber shops and car repair workshops.

Among other villages in the foothills of the Wilayat of Sohar is (Oqair Bani Issa), which is one of the attractive mountainous areas. It is located in the Wadi A'hen, which is one of the large valleys that abound in the Wilayat of Sohar and in the Governorate of North Al Batinah. The village can be reached through the road leading to the Wilayat of Yanqul. The way to the village is unpaved for a distance of about 15 kilometers and passes by hills, alleys and lush oases of small orchards.

The village is characterized by the presence of valleys that are flooded in some times of the year, especially when rains fall. It is also characterized by remarkable mountains and terrains, which harmonize with the small green orchards to form a splendid and pleasing pattern of nature.

The adventure and nature lovers can visit Oqair Bani Issa village and have fun, especially in some of the valleys that abound with water.

Among the profession and crafts that are practiced by the villagers of those mountainous villages are pottery and agriculture. The villagers grow wheat, barley, some seasonal crops, such as tomatoes, onions, garlic, radishes, lettuce, as well as some types of fruit, such as mango, figs, olives and grapes, in addition to varieties of date palms. Some villagers work in breeding sheep, poultry and cattle, alongside natural honey breeding.

Other mountainous villages located in the Wilayat of Sohar are not less important than those mentioned above. They all are characterized by the achievements of the Blessed Renaissance. They are also with glorious past and enjoy marvelous nature, in addition to their heritage and civilizational role in different periods of time.