Dhofar

The Dhofar (Arabic ظفار Ẓufār) region lies in Southern Oman, on the eastern border of Yemen. The largest town in the region is Salalah. Historically, it was the chief source of frankincense in the world. However, its frankincense is now mostly used locally. (Somalia is now the leading exporter.)

Related Topics:
Arabic - Oman - Yemen - Salalah - Frankincense - Somalia

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While Arabic speakers from the dominant Omani culture have come to live in the province, especially the larger cities and towns, Dhofar has been the traditional homeland of many non-Arab tribespeople speaking a variety of South Arabian Semitic languages. One of the largest - spoken by the Qara (Ehkelô), Shahra, Barahama, Bait Ash-Shaik and Bathira mountain tribes - is called Shehri - popularly referred to as "Jibbali" or "mountain talk". It is closely related to Mehri in Yemen. Other indigenous groups speaking smaller languages such as Bathari live in the coastal towns of Shuwaymiya and Sharbithat. The Harasis, speaking Harsusi, number 1-2,000 and live in Jiddat al-Harasis.

Related Topics:
Omani - South Arabian - Semitic - Qara - Shahra - Barahama - Bait Ash-Shaik - Bathira - Shehri - Mehri - Yemen - Shuwaymiya - Sharbithat - Harasis - Jiddat al-Harasis

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Dhofar is the only part of south Arabia directly exposed to the South East monsoon from mid August to late September or early October; this is known as the khareef. As a result, it has a lush green climate during the monsoon season and for sometime after until the vegetation loses its moisture. Dhofar's temporarily wet climate contrasts sharply with the neighboring barren deserts of Yemen and the remainder of Oman. The Salalah plain was once a well cultivated area with a sophisticated irrigation system. During World War 1 it was fertile enough to produce food and grain to supply a large proportion of the requirement of the British Army fighting in Mesopotamia.

Related Topics:
Arabia - Monsoon - Khareef - Deserts - Yemen - Salalah - World War 1 - British Army - Mesopotamia

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A counter-insurgency campaign was fought here by the Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces (SAF) 1965-1975 against guerilla fighters of the Marxist National Democratic Front for the Liberation of Oman and the Persian Gulf (NDFLOAG), supported by Communist South Yemen after that territory's independence. The rebel group wa renamed the Popular Front for the Liberation of Oman (PFLO) in 1974. It aimed to depose the Sultan. The Sultan's forces, assisted by the United Kingdom, Iran, Jordan and India, prevailed, and once the campaign was declared over in December 1975, the active remainder of PFLO forces surrendered.

Related Topics:
Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces - Guerilla - National Democratic Front for the Liberation of Oman and the Persian Gulf - South Yemen - Popular Front for the Liberation of Oman - 1974 - United Kingdom - Iran - Jordan - India - 1975

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In Mormon culture, Dhofar is the most popular traditional location of the Book of Mormon land of Bountiful. This association is not an official LDS Church doctrine, however.

Related Topics:
Mormon - Book of Mormon - Bountiful - LDS Church

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