Sacrifice to the Sea

A few days ago I was sitting on the beach with some friends and somehow we ended up discussing old Dhofari traditions. Despite our modern way of life, Dhofaris are still very much connected to the earth and the old way of life. Yes, we are superstitious people, and yes we still do practice some forms of pre-Islamic paganism. I have observed quite often the sacrifices our people make to the ocean, water springs, etc.

.

Many of the older generation in Dhofar still believe that water won't run in the springs unless a sacrifice is made. And yes, I have seen locals sacrificing small black cows (slaughtering them under water) and performing odd rituals to ensure the springs continue to provide water. If a water spring goes dry, the mountain tribe that guards the spring (it's all tribal) will gather and slaughter at the spring in hope of water. Sure enough, on several occasions, water indeed does appear.

.

My friend's father is a fisherman. According to him, sacrifices must be made on a regular basis to the ocean to keep it calm. In fact, (correct me if I'm wrong), it is commonly known that top government officials (no names please, we all know who it is) sacrifice gold and money to the ocean to keep the peace. This old fisherman says he would never risk going out to fish if a sacrifice hasn't been made because he knows how angry the ocean can get. Over and over again, I've heard the ocean being referred to as a human. The ocean is considered a powerful force that controls us. (لازم نذبح وإلا البحر بيهيج)

.

I find it fascinating how connected people are to the sea. I wish I had more time to study old traditions and rituals. There is so much we do not understand about this world because we are so obsessed with materialistic development. We do not treat our planet well. We do not respect the ocean, earth, stars, sun, and moon. We merely take advantage and then complain when things go wrong (earthquakes, tsunamis, pollution, global warming, hurricanes). Perhaps our ancestors knew more about the mysteries of life.

.

Do people in other parts of Oman make sacrfices? Have you observed them? What are the rituals? I'm curious.

.

It's raining in Salalah today (in fact, all over Oman if I'm not mistaken). The weather is very odd. Dark clouds. Although I left the house at 7:30 this morning, it was still dark outside and I had to have all the lights on.

Tell me about the Ocean ....

Some of you grammar-geeks out there may say 'Hey! Why did she put a capital O on the word Ocean?'.... well, I believe the Ocean is like a person.

The Ocean speaks to us in many different ways. Some people talk to the Ocean everyday! (like my friend Muna ... whom I wrote about in one of my earlier posts). Others visit the Ocean when they have a problem or are feeling depressed. They just sit and stare at the ocean. Sadly, many people are indifferent and can sit for hours in front of the sea smoking shisha and gossiping and not paying any attention to its majestic beauty and power.

I often visit the Ocean on my own just to think. I walk down to a section of the beach where it's ok for ladies to sit, and I dig my toes into the cold sand and listen to the waves. I've discovered over the years that if you're trying to think about 'Life' in general, it's hard to do it between four walls. My thoughts are clearer when I'm in an open space like the mountains or by the Ocean. I begin to comprehend bits and pieces from the great puzzle of life.

This afternoon I drove to the ocean and sat on the cold sand for a good two hours ... thinking. I felt I needed to clear my head for a bit. The ocean helps with that. Natural therapy. I wanted to shout out 'I am here! I am alive! I'm so full of life!'

The picture posted is one taken at Mughsayl (a 45-minute drive West of Salalah), two weeks ago. Beautiful!

What do you feel about the ocean? Does it inspire you? Tell me about it!