Wilayat of Ibri
Ibri is considered the administrative center of Al Dhahirah Governorate. The wilayat has seen significant development across all key sectors during the reign of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, may Allah protect and preserve him. This progress was made possible through his royal directives, which focused on supporting all governorates in their advancement, providing essential services to foster prosperity, and aligning with the goals of Oman Vision 2040. This vision aims to develop communities and cities, capitalise on opportunities across various sectors, including education and healthcare and promote economic diversification and sustainability.
According to an old tale, the wilayat of Ibri got its name as a crossing point for commercial caravans and convoys dating back to ancient times. It is strategically located at the crossroads of trade routes, with convoys travelling from the Eastern Province to the wilayat of Nizwa and the coast, passing through Wadi Al Hawasneh.
Characterised by its distinctive geographical location on the southern slopes of the Western Hajar Mountains, descending towards the semi-desert plains, Ibri is one of the three wilayats in Al Dhahirah Governorate and a key regional centre in the Sultanate of Oman. Located 279 kilometers from the capital, Muscat, Ibri connects Oman to other regions of the Arabian Peninsula, bordering the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the west. This strategic location has made it an important commercial, economic, and cultural hub. The wilayat covers an area of approximately 45,000 km² and is bordered by several other wilayats from various governorates. To the south, it borders Haima; to the east, it borders Bahla, Adam, and Al Hamra; to the north, it borders Al Khaburah, Saham, and Yanqul; to the northeast, it borders Rustaq; and to the northwest, it borders Dhank. The wilayat includes around 244 villages and towns.
Archaeological Sites
Ibri Fort Al-Salif Castle and Al-Salif Neighborhood Haret Al-Raml
Husn Al Aynayn Archaeological site of Bat Iraqi Fort
Black Fortress Husn Bait Al Marah Fort Shaabaniyah Quarter
Al Wuqba town Al Munaikh Fort Al Marqoo’ Neighborhood
Bazili Fort Sabikha Market
Ibri
Fort and Al Sulaif Fort:
Located
in the centre of Ibri, adjacent to its old market. It dates back
nearly 400 years and was established by the Al-Nabahna tribe, with
its construction completed by Sheikh Khater bin Amer bin Rashid
Al-Yaqoubi. The fort has several entrances, the most famous being
“Sabah Al Sensila,” “Sabah Al Hosn” (the main entrance), and
“Sabah Al Wasati” (used for Al Barza). It also houses a large
mosque where Friday prayers and other prayers are still held. The
fort is known for its historical inscriptions and ancient monuments,
including three towers: Al-Sarm, Al Ghorabiya, and Sabah Al Sensila.
Al
Sulaif Fort and Village:
Al
Sulaif Fort was built during the era of the Ya'ariba state by Imam
Sultan bin Saif Al-Yarubi in 1718 AD, 300 years ago, at the foot of
Mount Shanboh overlooking Wadi Al-Salif. The fort is surrounded by a
massive wall and seven towers, the most famous being the wind tower.
The village is known for its 110 ancient houses, archaeological
market, and traditional Omani architectural designs. Al Salif
village, located 5 kilometers from the center of Ibri, has
historically been renowned for its palm trees and agricultural
resources. The village's strategic location on a prominent cliff gave
it a commanding view over the eastern roads leading to Ibri,
initially serving as a defensive position.
Raml
Village:
Raml
village, an archaeological site built more than 300 years ago, is
located in the center of Ibri on the slopes and hills of Al Raml
Mount.
Al
Aynayn Fort:
Located
on the main road between Ibri and Rustaq, Al Aynayn Fort is a fine
example of Omani architecture.
The Bat archaeological site, located in the Wilayat of Ibri, Al Dhahirah Governorate, is a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back to the third millennium BC. It includes the tombs of the Um al-Nar style in the south and beehive graves in the north. The site also features six large circular stone buildings, some with water wells and surrounded by moats, such as the Rajum Tower. These buildings date back to the Hafeet era (3200–2700 BC), with structures like the Al Khatem Tower.
The
Bat archaeological site, located in the Wilayat of Ibri, Al Dhahirah
Governorate, is a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back to the third
millennium BC. It includes the tombs of the Um al-Nar style in the
south and beehive graves in the north. The site also features six
large circular stone buildings, some with water wells and surrounded
by moats, such as the Rajum Tower. These buildings date back to the
Hafeet era (3200–2700 BC), with structures like the Al Khatem
Tower.
Al
Iraqi Fort:
Located
in the center of the Iraqi town, Al Iraqi Fort features two towers,
rooms, stores, and three water wells. The fort is rectangular,
constructed using gravel, clay, plaster, and sarooj. Inside, there
are ancient houses with service rooms and a hospitality hall.
Located in Maqniyat, Dad Khasib, on the eastern edge of a valley plain, Al Aswad Fort was built in 972 AH (1564 AD) and includes four towers. The fort, situated on a rocky outcrop, dominates the surrounding area and provides strategic views.
Located
in Maqniyat, Dad Khasib, on the eastern edge of a valley plain, Al
Aswad Fort was built in 972 AH (1564 AD) and includes four towers.
The fort, situated on a rocky outcrop, dominates the surrounding area
and provides strategic views.
Bait
Al Marah Fort:
Bait
Al Marah Fort, located in the heart of Wadi Yanqul in Al Hosn
village, was built either before Islam or in the 11th century AH
(17th century AD). Surrounded by palm plantations, the fort is known
for its traditional mud and stone construction, which was restored by
the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in 2002.
Al Shaabania is one of the largest and most important villages in Yanqul, known for its traditional mud houses built with palm fronds and trunks. The village is known for its close-knit community, where people gather in the mornings to share Omani coffee.
Al
Shaabania is one of the largest and most important villages in
Yanqul, known for its traditional mud houses built with palm fronds
and trunks. The village is known for its close-knit community, where
people gather in the mornings to share Omani coffee.
Waqba
Town:
Al
Wuqba, located 38 kilometers from the center of Ibri, is a
picturesque mountainous town with valleys like Wadi Biha and Wadi
Al-Arashi, popular for tourism. The town features mountain caves,
water sources, and heritage sites, making it a key tourist
destination with its traditional Omani architecture.
Al
Munaikh Fort:
Al
Munaikh Fort in the Wilayat of Dhank is a heritage site with a total
area of 1,200 square meters, featuring three towers and various rooms
and stores. The fort was restored by the Ministry of Heritage and
Culture between 2013 and 2017, and now includes modern amenities such
as electricity and air conditioning, allowing access for people with
special needs.
Al
Marqua Village:
Al
Marqua, located in the Al Azizi neighborhood of Dhank, is known for
its historical and tourist significance. The village lies between
neighboring towns and is bordered by Al Wusta, Al Alaya, Al Ma'zaa,
Al Shakur, and Al Wahsha.
Bazili
Fort:
Bazili
Fort, located in the village of Al Bazili in Dhank, was built during
the Ya'ariba era. It is situated near a water stream known as “Falj
Al Bazili” and has been preserved as one of the area's significant
historical landmarks.
Sabikha
Market:
The
ancient Sabikha market in Dhank is one of the oldest traditional
heritage markets in the region. Known for its commercial activity,
the market is surrounded by orchards and streams, attracting traders
from various regions. It remains a popular destination for locals and
visitors alike.
Traditional Arts
Traditional
Arts
The
traditional folk arts, such as dances and songs, in our wilayats
reflect the cultural identity of Oman’s citizens. These arts are
also an expressive representation of customs and traditions,
particularly during religious and national holidays, weddings, and
other social occasions. Both men and women actively participate in
these events, which are prevalent in the wilayats of Ibri, Yanqul,
Dhank, and the Hamraa Al Drooa area. The people in these areas
practice extraordinary arts that are full of rhythm and poetry. Poets
recite poems of praise, romance, description, and pride during
national and social events. The musical and percussion instruments
used in Al Dhahirah Governorate’s folk arts include the Al Kasir,
Al Rahmani, and Al Waqif drums, which are the most prominent.
Art
of Ayala
Ayala
is a traditional dance performed by two opposite rows of men. The
members of each row stand close together, holding hands and
encircling each other's waist with their other arm, symbolising
cohesion and tribal cooperation. In the middle of the two rows, a
band plays music using a variety of musical instruments, most of
which are made of copper, such as drums and tambourines. The music is
led by a man holding a cylindrical drum with two faces called the
"Kasir," which gives the dance a distinctive, energetic
rhythm that matches the poetry recited during the performance.
Art
of Al Midan
The
Art of Al Midan, shared by Al Dhahirah Governorate and many other
governorate in the Sultanate of Oman, is one of the most famous
traditional folk arts in the Sultanate. It involves lively poetry and
wordplay in Arabic, performed during social occasions such as
weddings or as a form of entertainment. In some cases, it is also
used for folk medicine, especially for those who believe they are
under the influence of jinn.
Art
of Wannah
This
art is typically performed in circles, with people gathering around
the singer, who places his palms on his cheeks and sings with closed
eyes. Another participant joins in, repeating the last verse of the
song in the same way. The art of Wannah is a beautiful, repetitive
performance that showcases the harmony between the singer and their
companion.
Art
of Al Taghrooda
Al
Taghrooda is a Bedouin art related to camel riders (bush) and their
movements during the jogging (Tkhb). Historically, it was performed
for storytelling during night gatherings in Bedouin councils. Also
known as "Razha Al Bedouin" or "Razfa Al Bedouin,"
this collective singing is done in a fixed tone, with an elongation
of extended letters. Performed without any percussion instruments,
this art is popular throughout Bedouin regions in the Sultanate of
Oman, and it has different names like Al Taghrooda, Al Taghreed, and
Al Ghirud.
Al
Razfa Al Badawi
Al
Razfa Al Badawi is a traditional art practiced by Bedouins on various
occasions, such as weddings, circumcisions, Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr,
and other social events. Exclusive to men, the Bedouin Razfa involves
participants forming two parallel rows. A poet recites poetry to one
of the rows, and this row begins to sing in rhythm with the poetry.
The other row then repeats the song, creating a synchronized singing
pattern. The movement in the Bedouin Razfa consists of the
participants in the rows and those performing the Razfa between the
rows. They may hold bamboo sticks, rifles, or swords while performing
repetitive head nods and light torso bends. Some performers raise
their rifles or swords in the air, throwing them up before catching
them again, or they may swirl their weapons to create patterns in the
air, as seen in other weapon parades.
Bait Al Marah Fort, located in the heart of Wadi Yanqul in Al Hosn village, was built either before Islam or in the 11th century AH (17th century AD). Surrounded by palm plantations, the fort is known for its traditional mud and stone construction, which was restored by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in 2002.
Bait
Al Marah Fort is located in the heart of Wadi Yanqul in Al-Hosn
village on the northeastern side of Mount Hura, bordered to the south
by Mount Khatim. Historical sources differ on its construction date,
with some suggesting it was built before Islam, others indicating the
11th century AH (17th century AD), while a third source claims it was
built by Makhzoum bin Falah Al Nabhani during the early era of the
Nabahna. Constructed with mud and stone, the fort has undergone
restoration since 2002 using traditional materials like Sarooj.
Al
Shaabania Village
Al
Shaabania is one of the largest and most important villages in
Yanqul. It consists of old archaeological houses made of mud and palm
fronds, with doors crafted from the Sidr tree. The village remains a
symbol of Omani resilience, with homes that have withstood rain and
the passage of time. The village is known for its strong community
spirit, where people gather in the morning to share Omani coffee, a
tradition passed down through generations.
Waqba
Town
Located
38 kilometers from Ibri, Waqba Town is one of the most beautiful
towns in Al Dhahirah Governorate, surrounded by towering mountains
within the Western Hajar range. Waqba is renowned for its active
tourism, with valleys like Wadi Biha and Wadi Al-Arashi offering
relaxing spots for rest and recreation. The town is also home to
several heritage sites, including ancient houses with traditional
Omani architecture. Its mountain caves and clear water sources
attract hiking and climbing enthusiasts.
Munaikh
Fort
Al
Munaikh Fort, located in Dhank, is a heritage site covering an area
of 1,200 square meters. It features three towers, a main gate called
“Sabah,” a general assembly hall, rooms, and stores. The fort was
restored by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture between 2013 and
2017, maintaining its original construction style using clay, sarooj,
and stone while adding modern amenities for visitors, including
accessibility for people with special needs.
Al
Marqua Village
Al
Marqua, located in the Al Azizi neighborhood of Dhank, is known for
its historical and tourist significance. The village lies between
neighboring towns and is bordered by towns such as Al Wusta, Al
Alaya, Al Ma'zaa, Al Shakur, and Al Wahsha.
Bazili
Fort
Located
in the village of Al Bazili in Dhank, Bazili Fort was built during
the Ya'ariba era. A water stream, “Falj Al Bazili,” runs through
the site, and the fort remains a significant historical monument.
The ancient Sabikha market in Dhank is one of the oldest traditional heritage markets in the region. Known for its commercial activity, the market is surrounded by orchards and streams, attracting traders from various regions. It remains a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.
The
Sabikha market in Dhank is one of the oldest traditional heritage
markets in the governorate. Combining history and commercial
activity, the market is surrounded by orchards and streams,
attracting traders and visitors alike. It remains a popular
destination for locals, showcasing a wide range of goods, including
spices, coffee, livestock, and dried fish. The market has seen a
steady economic recovery since the 1970s, due to its strategic
location next to the historical fort.
