‘Rose Giving' to celebrate Jabal Akhdar's blooming harvest
The initiative aims to highlight the economic and cultural importance of the rose industry, which has long been rooted in the traditions of communities living in the highlands of Jalal Akhdar.
Sulaiman Awlad Thani, a resident of Jabal Akhdar, said the rose harvest begins in March and continues until the end of April. 'During this season, the air in Jabal Akhdar becomes filled with the scent of roses, which are used in perfumes, food flavourings and herbal remedies,' he said.
Jabal Akhdar is home to nearly 4,000 rose bushes, spread across villages including Al Aqar, Al Ain, Saiq and Al Shurayjah. The most widely cultivated variety is the pink Mohammadi rose. The harvest has become a seasonal draw for visitors, who often purchase locally produced rosewater and related products from shops in the area.
Thani said rose cultivation has become a growing source of income for local families, with many young people now taking part in the harvest. 'Rose farming is an ancient tradition, passed down through generations. It has become a craft with its own unique character,' he added.
The production of rosewater begins early each morning, when roses are picked and delivered to distillation units. The process is carried out using clay pots made in Bahla, a town renowned for its pottery. Rosewater is widely used in Omani sweets, coffee and tea, and it also features in perfumes and cosmetics.
To offer tourists a closer look at the harvest and traditional distillation process, guided trips are organised during the season.
The upcoming Rose Giving event will include a workshop on rose harvesting and rosewater production. It will also provide space to small and medium enterprises to showcase their products and include artistic activities for children.
The event seeks to promote rose farming as a viable career for younger generations, encourage cultivation among local residents, and preserve traditional knowledge and practices tied to the industry.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
30 minutes ago
- Observer
Museums, archaeological sites boost tourism in Khareef
Salalah - The museums and archaeological sites in Dhofar Governorate serve as a fundamental pillar of cultural tourism during the Khareef (monsoon) season. They attract visitors from within and outside Oman and reflect the richness of the governorate's cultural and archaeological assets. Several officials from the heritage and tourism sectors, along with investors in archaeological sites, told Oman News Agency that the Khareef Dhofar season is a golden opportunity to promote cultural tourism in the governorate, given the large number of visitors interested in Omani history and cultural identity. Ali Salim Al Kathiri, director of the Land of Frankincense Sites at the Directorate General of Heritage and Tourism in Dhofar Governorate, stated that the archaeological cities of Samharam and Al Baleed represent a unique model of ancient port cities that flourished on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. These cities undertook a vital role in the maritime trade network, especially the frankincense trade. He added that historical sources and excavation results at these two sites have revealed a succession of multiple civilizations, reflecting the rich civilizational heritage of southern Oman. Both sites have been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2000. Al Kathiri noted that the number of visitors to the Land of Frankincense sites and the Museum of the Frankincense Land during the last Khareef season reached 54,569. He anticipates an increase in this number during the current season due to promotional efforts by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in collaboration with public and private sector partners. He explained that the visitor experience is evaluated through regular field surveys, research studies conducted by specialized scientific institutions, and the national "Tajawob" platform, which receives public feedback and suggestions. This contributes to improving services and enhancing community interaction with these sites. Harith Mohammed al Ghassani, a board member of the Dhofar Museum, stated that the museum serves as a window into the history of the Omani people since the first settlements. Located in the old quarter of Salalah, it is distinguished by its heritage design and its contents, which include over 1,000 artifacts collected by the museum's founder since the 1950s. It also offers translated information and integrated services. He noted that the museum attracts researchers, enthusiasts, and tourists for the insightful experience it offers, which tells the story of the Omani people, their environment, and their civilizational connections. For his part, Salim Ahmed al Amri, owner of the "Tawasul Al Ajyal Museum" (Generations Continuity Museum) in Taqah Wilayat, said that the museum is the first private museum licensed by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in Dhofar Governorate. It aims to transfer authentic Omani heritage from previous generations to the next, affirming that preserving cultural memory is a shared responsibility between individuals and institutions. He added that the museum's idea was born from the dream of his late mother, Tuffoul Ramadan Bamukhalef, in the 1950s and came to fruition after her death with the museum's opening in February 2023 inside the family home in the old quarter of Taqah. It serves as a living extension of the memory of the place and its people.
Observer
30 minutes ago
- Observer
Game development bootcamp to enhance future-ready digital talent
MUSCAT: As part of its efforts to enhance digital skills development and economic diversification, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MoTCIT), in collaboration with Unity Technologies and Al-Nahda Training Institute, has launched a National Game Development Bootcamp for young Omani talent. The initiative, which falls under Oman's broader plan to invest in new digital sectors, aims to train 50 Omani nationals in the space of six months. The trainees will be given practical training in game programming, animation design, 3D modelling, and artificial intelligence, the building blocks of today's gaming sector. Jalila bint Abdullah al Fannah al Arimi, Director of Future Skills Development at MoTCIT, announced the launch, emphasizing the programme's focus on practical learning. "This bootcamp has a very strong practical application focus," she said. "It offers participants an opportunity to gain real-world experience in technology incubators and to develop their own game projects, ultimately preparing them to build competitive Omani start-ups in this fast-emerging digital sector." She pointed out that the project reflects a long-term national commitment to digital transformation. "National digital talent investment is key to a sustainable digital economy. This project is a concrete step towards that vision—opening up new possibilities for young Omanis to play an important role in the global gaming sector." Speaking at the bootcamp's official launch ceremony, Shaikh Humaid bin Juma al Shamsi, Chairman of Al-Nahda Training Institute, emphasised the strategic importance of the bootcamp. "This landmark initiative resonates with our vision to empower Omani youth by equipping them with cutting-edge digital skills that now form the bedrock of advanced global economies," he said. He also added that the gaming industry has turned into a knowledge-based industry. "The video game industry is no longer merely entertainment. It's a multi-integrated, knowledge-based industry that includes programming, designing, artificial intelligence, and artistic creativity. The bootcamp was established as a practical platform to allow young Omanis to be part of this active and rapidly emerging global industry." Representing Unity Technologies in the Middle East, Zia Ul Islam further stated that the programme also leverages Unity's real-time AI tech to the advantage of long-term ecosystem development. "This programme is not only intended to upskill people, but to contribute to a sustainable digital ecosystem in Oman," he said. "By building talent and small- and medium-sized enterprises, we hope to power job creation in the gaming and broader digital sectors." Ul Islam was optimistic regarding the programme's future expansion. "This is just the beginning. Our vision is to build something much bigger in the near future, in collaboration with national institutions and ministries across Oman, to further accelerate the development of the local digital economy." The bootcamp marks a significant milestone in Oman's drive to embrace digital innovation and equip its young people for active participation in high-growth global industries.
Muscat Daily
5 hours ago
- Muscat Daily
MTCIT launches gaming development camp to build digital skills
Muscat – Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology launched a video game development training camp to equip young jobseekers with skills in one of the world's fastest-growing digital sectors on Sunday. The initiative, launched in partnership with Al Nahda Training Institute and Unity – a global leading platform to create games and interactive experiences – is part of the ministry's Makeen programme to support national digital capabilities. Held at Al Araimi Boulevard in Seeb, the event was inaugurated under the patronage of H E Dr Ali bin Amer al Shidhani, Undersecretary for Communications and Information Technology. The camp will train 50 Omanis across two tracks – game programming and animation design – over 24 weeks. Participants will receive both theoretical instruction and hands-on training under the supervision of local and international experts. Jalila bint Abdullah al Fanna al Araimi, Director of the ministry's Future Skills Development Department, said the programme is designed to prepare youth for the global gaming market. 'The initiative aims to empower jobseekers with a talent for game development by offering practical experience within technology incubators and the opportunity to work on original digital projects,' she said. She added that the collaboration with Unity marks the first such partnership in the sultanate. 'Unity's technologies power over 50 percent of digital games worldwide. This partnership will help transfer global expertise to Oman,' she said. The programme is also expected to support the establishment of digital startups in Oman's gaming sector. Sheikh Humaid bin Juma al Shamsi, Member of the Majlis A'Shura and Chairman of the Board of Al Nahda Training Institute, said the gaming industry is evolving into a complex knowledge-based economy. 'This unique initiative is part of wider efforts to empower Omani youth with digital skills, which have become a key pillar of modern economies,' he said. 'The video game industry today combines programming, design, artificial intelligence and creativity. This camp offers a practical platform to prepare youth for this global sector.' The Makeen programme is part of Oman's broader digital transformation strategy under Vision 2040, aimed at positioning the sultanate as a regional hub for innovation and emerging technologies.
