Hey there!

While writing my novel Sarim (which is about teenage Jinn Hunters in Muscat, 2019) I used a number of Omani words. These were simple terms which I felt most people used. However, it’s come to my attention that if you google ‘Omani words’, not much shows up aside from This Video from the Times of Oman. Besides, some words are so old that even us Omanis are starting to lose them *gasp*. Maybe there should exist a small glossary of Omani terms!

The List!

Below I’ve added a list in no particular term of Omani terms and what they mean, which I hope will help anybody googling. I will add to this list whenever I remember something. Feel free to comment more terms below so I can add them!

• Magmar- مجمر: This is a cup-like frankincense holder which is used to make Bukhoor.
• Busat- بساط: A Busat is a woven mat made from the dried leaves of date trees. Nowadays, the dried leaves are often replaced by plastic.
• Bukhoor- بخور: This is Frankinsence. We burn either a type of perfumed wood or solidified sap to produce a sweet-smelling smoke. Fridays are generally defined by Bukhoor.
• Luban- لبان: Luban is a resin which is produced from Luban trees. It is often white and milky in color. Not to be confused with Luban (chewing Gum). This video by Times of Oman explains more
• Zour- زور: Zour is the aggregate term for date tree leaves.
• Sraidan- صريدان: A grill made of iron. We fill it with coal and often cook Mishkak (plural form Mshakeek) on them. Historically, they were also used to as a hearth for cold winter nights.
• Rouzna- روزنة: A sort of inverted, inwards-facing shelf which is built into walls. These shelves were very common in the 18th century and earlier. They are now back in style in modern homes in Muscat.
• Mishkak- مشكاك: A meat skewer. You can often find these being cooked fresh on the side of the road or in small food stands. (plural Form Mishakeek)
• Tanoor- تنور: A tanoor is an underground fire pit utilized as an oven by Omanis during the Eid holidays to cook Shuwa.
• Shuwa- شوا: A type of marinated, spicy meat cooked in an underground tanoor, wrapped in a sack and banana leaves.
• Nakhla- نخلة: A Nakhla is a date tree, plural is Nakheel. These are the queens of the Omani ecosystem, and contribute to everything from food to handcrafts.
• Sumr- السمر: A type of thorned local Acacia from which the best honey is produced. Sumr trees also produce excellent used most commonly in Omani Tanoors. This Article by The Oman Observer explains more.
• Sidr- السدر: A type of thorned tree which produces a type of fruit called Nubq, as well as honey.
• Boot- البوت: A type of red, pitted berry which grows most commonly in Al Jabal Al Akhdar.
• Na’al- نعال: Sandals. These are the most common form of footwear in Oman
• Dishdasha- دشداشة: A (usually) white robe worn by Omani Men. This is the most common form of clothing in Oman. This article by Oman Observer tells you more!
• Msar- مصر: A (often) colored turban worn by Omani Men. The method with which the turban is tied can indicate where the man comes from. However, the official style (muscat/dakhiliya method) has been popularized in the last decade.
• Kumma- كمة: A colored woven hat with intricate patterns worn by Omani men. Hand-woven Omani Kummas can be remarkably expensive, while machine-woven kummas have lower prices. Kummas can be single or multi-colored.
• Subayya- سباعية: A covering which is often slung over the shoulder. This accessory is less common now.
• Khaizranah- خيزرانة: A Khaizranah is a traditional (often light and flexible) Omani cane, used to aid us in our travels and to protect us from harm.
• Utom- عتم: Utom trees are a type of wild olive tree which produce hard wood. Utom branches are often used to fashion a type of hard cane with the same name.
• Khanjar-خنجر: A Khanjar is a short curved dagger, similar to the yemeni Janbiya. Khanjars are worn around the waist and were used as protection in ancient times. Their role is mostly ceremonial in present times. A Khanjar can be seen on the Omani flag and is considered a national symbol, along with the Saif. Khanjars are commonly split into Saidi Types, Sharqiya Types, and Dakhiliya Types. This article from Omanspire explains more.
• Saif- سيف: Saif simply translates to ‘sword’ but it often revers to a double-edged, straight, blunt-pointed sword type common in Oman. Its role is mostly ceremonial in present times. A Saif can be seen on the Omani flag and is considered a national symbol, along with the Khanjar.
• Abaya- عباية: An over-garment worn by Omani women. Black Abayas are the most common form of garment in Oman.

I hope you found this list useful, and I welcome comments to add or change any of the terms!