Oman Topography, Memory of Place and Human Nature: Through the Manuscript "Sifat Oman Wa Buldanaha"
Moosa Salim Albrashdi, Assistant Professor, College of arts & social sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman.
Nasser Saif Alsaadi, Assistant Professor, UNESCO chair on Aflaj studies Archaeohydrology in Nizwa University, Oman.
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to highlight an Omani manuscript that was recently unveiled and wasn't addressed by researchers by investigation and study. The manuscript handles Oman topography. Oman cultural heritage suffered scarce writings that consider the geography of Oman. There is no text to be referenced and belongs to what is known in Arab culture as books of countries. The study derives its importance and analysis of the content of manuscript of " Sifat Oman Wa Buldanaha " from this point. As a tool for study that relied on descriptive and historical approaches based on induction and analysis.
The study examined the context of manuscript in terms of the geographic framework and topography of Oman, and the social, economic and cultural reference and significance. The study endeavored to answer the following questions: When was the manuscript "Sifat Oman Wa Buldanaha" written? What are the reasons for writing of it? What are the topics on which the manuscript focused? How the manuscript presented the topography of Oman? What is the relation between the topography of Oman, human nature and lifestyles in it? How has the author linked the place and Oman Culture?
The study concluded that Topography of Oman wasn't a side overlooked by scientists, and unveiling this manuscript constitutes an evidence of it. The study defined the topics that were addressed by the manuscript titled " Sifat Oman Wa Buldanaha ", which is represented in the borders, shape and location of Oman, and its ports and characteristics of those ports. The study also indicated the importance of manuscript in study of the human natures and behavior, and the human relation to the geographic space to which he belongs.
Keywords: Manuscript, Topography, Culture of Oman, Ports, Human behavior.