Rustaq
Encyclopedia
Rustaq is a town and wilayah (district)
in the Al Batinah Region
of northern Oman
. The city is located at 23°23′27"N 57°25′28"E.
The wilayah of Rustaq is in the Western Hajar, in the south of the Batinah. Rustaq was once the capital of Oman, during the era of Imam Nasir bin Murshid al Ya'arubi. Rustaq fort, built four centuries prior to the dawn of Islam in Oman, is an imposing structure built on three levels, containing separate houses, an armoury, a mosque and four towers. The tallest tower stands over 18.5m high and has a diameter of 6m. Hazm Fort is an outstanding example of Omani Islamic architecture and was built in 1711 AD. The fort's roof is built on columns, and contains no wooden supports. Its walls can withstand great impact, at no less than 3m thick at any point.
Rustaq is an area of healing warm springs, the most notable being Ain al Kasafa. Its waters runs at 45°C and are regarded as a cure for rheumatism and skin diseases due to its sulphur content.
There are three popular wadis to visit: Wadi Bani Ghafar; Wadi al Sahtan and Wadi Bani Auf. In addition, the mountains are pitted with caves such as Al Sanaqha Cave with its own subterranean springs. One of the main occupations in Rustaq is beekeeping. Pure Omani honey is a most sought-after commodity and is of the highest quality. Fruits such as pomegranates, apricots, plums and grapes are grown on the foothills of the Akhdar Mountains
and brought to Rustaq for sale.
, Persian
, Kumzari, etc.), New Iranian, 'rusta', meaning a 'large village.' The term is a cognate to other Indo-European
tongues such as Latin
, where 'rustica', means the same thing (whence the source for the English term, 'rustic').
Industries prospered over the years due to the elementary needs of people Al Rustaq and some other states and regions in Sultanate of Oman. The most prominent industries produced textiles, agriculture, daggers, swords, guns, blacksmithing, carpentry and others.
Omay Halwa is also produced in Rustaq. People came from many places in the time of Eid
and other occasions to buy Halwa. Rustaqi Khanjar production has also been done in Rustaq for a very long time. Old men spend hours and hours making Omani codes. Rustaq people have long been known for their care of palm trees and their dates. They have made use of the branches and leaves to build shelter and make baskets. Leather tanning is also one of the industries in Rustaq. People use leather to save water and food, and for making shoes.
Traditional crafts
Beekeeping: Rustaq people like beekeebing and many of them own more than 1000 cells.
Tabseel: it means boiling dates of a specific type "Mabseli" in a particular session.
Sheep grazing: many people graze animals especially those who live in Wadies and far away from the down town.
Renewal of guns: Some artisans work in renewal and amendments to the traditional rifles. They upgrade them and add more modifications to improve their functionality.
Traditional arts
Mashia: it is an introduction to Razhaa.
Razhaa: art for the men, which started competing in raising the swords.
Razfa: known locally as Hebiah
Azi: comes in the form of song.
Al Tareq: This is usually art at the Bedouin living in the north of the state.
Alhmpel: This is usually when the Bedouin art and residents east of the state said when moving from one place to another via camels.
Agricultural products
The state is famous for the cultivation of different types of palm including: Khalas, Zabad and Hilali and Almabsli Obo Soih and Almeznaj and Subaa Al Aroos and Jabri ... Known also as the cultivation of citrus and quince, lemon, Albalnj Alchkak and Nadan, as well as Almstafl and olives (guava), mango (Alamba), bananas and papaya and clover, in addition to seasonal crops such as maize, barley, Algeljlan, onions and garlic.
Wilayah
A wilāyah or vilâyet , or vilayat in Urdu and Turkish, is an administrative division, usually translated as "province", rarely as "governorate". The word comes from the Arabic "w-l-y", "to govern": a wāli — "governor" — governs a wilayah, "that which is governed"...
in the Al Batinah Region
Al Batinah Region
Al Bāţinah is one of the regions of Oman.Al Batinah Region, otherwise known as Al Batinah, occupies an important location on the coast of Gulf of Oman. It lies between Khatmat Malahah in the north and Ras AL Hamra in the south and confined between the Al Hajar Mountains in the west and the Gulf...
of northern Oman
Oman
Oman , officially called the Sultanate of Oman , is an Arab state in southwest Asia on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by the United Arab Emirates to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west, and Yemen to the southwest. The coast is formed by the Arabian Sea on the...
. The city is located at 23°23′27"N 57°25′28"E.
The wilayah of Rustaq is in the Western Hajar, in the south of the Batinah. Rustaq was once the capital of Oman, during the era of Imam Nasir bin Murshid al Ya'arubi. Rustaq fort, built four centuries prior to the dawn of Islam in Oman, is an imposing structure built on three levels, containing separate houses, an armoury, a mosque and four towers. The tallest tower stands over 18.5m high and has a diameter of 6m. Hazm Fort is an outstanding example of Omani Islamic architecture and was built in 1711 AD. The fort's roof is built on columns, and contains no wooden supports. Its walls can withstand great impact, at no less than 3m thick at any point.
Rustaq is an area of healing warm springs, the most notable being Ain al Kasafa. Its waters runs at 45°C and are regarded as a cure for rheumatism and skin diseases due to its sulphur content.
There are three popular wadis to visit: Wadi Bani Ghafar; Wadi al Sahtan and Wadi Bani Auf. In addition, the mountains are pitted with caves such as Al Sanaqha Cave with its own subterranean springs. One of the main occupations in Rustaq is beekeeping. Pure Omani honey is a most sought-after commodity and is of the highest quality. Fruits such as pomegranates, apricots, plums and grapes are grown on the foothills of the Akhdar Mountains
Jebel Akhdar (Oman)
The Jebel Akhdar, Jabal Akhdar or Al Jabal Al Akhdar , also known as the camals hideout, is part of the Al Hajar Mountains range in Oman, which extends about 300 km northwest to southeast, between 50-100 km inland from the Gulf of Oman coast. It is one of Oman’s most spectacular areas...
and brought to Rustaq for sale.
Etymology
The name of this town is a derived from the Middle Iranian, rustag, (BaluchiBalochi language
Balochi is a Northwestern Iranian language. It is the principal language of the Baloch of Balochistan, Pakistan, eastern Iran and southern Afghanistan. It is also spoken as a second language by some Brahui. It is designated as one of nine official languages of Pakistan.-Vowels:The Balochi vowel...
, Persian
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
, Kumzari, etc.), New Iranian, 'rusta', meaning a 'large village.' The term is a cognate to other Indo-European
Indo-European
Indo-European may refer to:* Indo-European languages** Aryan race, a 19th century and early 20th century term for those peoples who are the native speakers of Indo-European languages...
tongues such as Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
, where 'rustica', means the same thing (whence the source for the English term, 'rustic').
Economy
IndustriesIndustries prospered over the years due to the elementary needs of people Al Rustaq and some other states and regions in Sultanate of Oman. The most prominent industries produced textiles, agriculture, daggers, swords, guns, blacksmithing, carpentry and others.
Omay Halwa is also produced in Rustaq. People came from many places in the time of Eid
Eid ul-Fitr
Eid ul-Fitr, Eid al-Fitr, Id-ul-Fitr, or Id al-Fitr , often abbreviated to Eid, is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting . Eid is an Arabic word meaning "festivity," while Fiṭr means "breaking the fast"...
and other occasions to buy Halwa. Rustaqi Khanjar production has also been done in Rustaq for a very long time. Old men spend hours and hours making Omani codes. Rustaq people have long been known for their care of palm trees and their dates. They have made use of the branches and leaves to build shelter and make baskets. Leather tanning is also one of the industries in Rustaq. People use leather to save water and food, and for making shoes.
Traditional crafts
Beekeeping: Rustaq people like beekeebing and many of them own more than 1000 cells.
Tabseel: it means boiling dates of a specific type "Mabseli" in a particular session.
Sheep grazing: many people graze animals especially those who live in Wadies and far away from the down town.
Renewal of guns: Some artisans work in renewal and amendments to the traditional rifles. They upgrade them and add more modifications to improve their functionality.
Traditional arts
Mashia: it is an introduction to Razhaa.
Razhaa: art for the men, which started competing in raising the swords.
Razfa: known locally as Hebiah
Azi: comes in the form of song.
Al Tareq: This is usually art at the Bedouin living in the north of the state.
Alhmpel: This is usually when the Bedouin art and residents east of the state said when moving from one place to another via camels.
Agricultural products
The state is famous for the cultivation of different types of palm including: Khalas, Zabad and Hilali and Almabsli Obo Soih and Almeznaj and Subaa Al Aroos and Jabri ... Known also as the cultivation of citrus and quince, lemon, Albalnj Alchkak and Nadan, as well as Almstafl and olives (guava), mango (Alamba), bananas and papaya and clover, in addition to seasonal crops such as maize, barley, Algeljlan, onions and garlic.