Omanis Used Poetry to Safeguard an Ancient Tongue

In the heart of Oman, a vibrant effort is underway to safeguard Jibbali, an ancient language echoing through the Dhofar mountains. Through the powerful traditions of poetry and chants, Omanis are actively working to ensure this unique linguistic heritage continues to thrive for future generations, preventing its disappearance from the cultural landscape.

A Language Rooted in History

Known also as Shehri, Jibbali emerged from the Dhofar region, a linguistic treasure that remarkably predated the arrival of Arabic in the area. Researchers like Ali Almashani emphasized that it was not merely a dialect but a fully formed language, boasting its own distinct grammar, complex phonology, and profound historical connections that trace back millennia. For centuries, the rugged mountains of Dhofar, the vast Empty Quarter desert, and the expansive Indian Ocean acted as natural guardians, shielding this unique tongue from external influences and preserving its distinct identity within the region. This natural isolation played a crucial role in its survival.

The Race Against Time

Despite its deep roots and cultural significance, Jibbali faces the urgent challenge of documentation and formal recognition, remaining largely absent from educational curricula and official records. To combat this, dedicated teams, including Almashani’s, are in a race against time, meticulously compiling a comprehensive 125,000-word dictionary, a monumental task. They are also leveraging advanced digital tools to capture the intricate sounds and unique phonetic nuances that traditional alphabets struggle to convey, ensuring a complete linguistic record. The urgency is palpable, as other Dhofari languages, such as Bathari, have already teetered on the brink of disappearance, highlighting the critical need for these immediate and sustained preservation efforts to prevent a similar fate for Jibbali.

Recommended

Dar Al-Atta’a Association Earned Top Social Responsibility CertificationOman Is a Treasure Chest of Culture, Adventure, and Untold Beauty!Grandma Drives a Charger

Passing Down the Legacy

Hope for Jibbali’s future flickers brightly in the unwavering commitment of its speakers, particularly in how the younger generation enthusiastically embraces it. Children in the region still show a strong preference for speaking Jibbali in their daily interactions, cherishing it as a vital part of their identity and cultural heritage. Individuals like Saeed Shamas are actively ensuring the language’s continuity by raising their own children immersed in Jibbali, weaving it into daily life through traditional lullabies, captivating folk tales, and everyday conversations. This organic, intergenerational transfer, fueled by a deep sense of cultural pride and belonging, is proving to be an indispensable method for the language to live on vibrantly, even beyond formal documentation and academic study.

Read next: Oman Is a Treasure Chest of Culture, Adventure, and Untold Beauty!