Falaj systems foster social cohesion in Omani tribal communities

Observer

7 days ago

MUSCAT: A groundbreaking research project titled 'Aflaj Systems and Social Cohesion in Oman, Al Dakhiliyah Governorate', led by Dr Majid Labbaf Khaneiki, Assistant Professor and Unesco Chair on Aflaj Studies and Archaeo-Hydrology at the University of Nizwa — has shed new light on the integral role of traditional water systems in shaping Omani tribal society.
Funded by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation's Block Funding Programme, the study explores how the falaj irrigation system serves not only as a means of water distribution but as a vital pillar of social cohesion and economic sustainability among tribal communities in northern Oman.
Challenging Western anthropological views of tribalism as territorially rigid and isolated, Dr Khaneiki's research reveals a contrasting narrative. The falaj emerges as a unifying force, facilitating intertribal cooperation through shared water resources — a structure the researchers term 'hydro-tribalism.'
Falaj systems foster social cohesion in Omani tribal communities
Using an inductive qualitative approach, the team combined ethnographic fieldwork, in-depth interviews with falaj stakeholders, and comprehensive archival and literature reviews. Their findings underscore how the technical and geographic realities of water mobility encourage communities to transcend territorial boundaries, promoting collective governance and reducing conflict.
Moreover, the falaj supports a broader hydro-economic network, enabling trade, standardised agricultural practices, and infrastructure investment — often sustained through waqf (endowments). However, urban expansion and environmental threats now endanger this centuries-old system, making its preservation essential for maintaining social and ecological balance.
Dr Khaneiki advocates for viewing the falaj not just as a water system but as a cultural and social asset, offering a timeless model of sustainable development and resilience rooted in harmony and cooperation.
The research was published in the Journal of Arabian Studies and GeoJournal, with contributions from Dr Abdullah al Ghafri, Amjad al Rawahi, Dr Khalifa al Kindi, Dr Nasser al Saadi, Zahra al Abri, and Ishaq al Shabibi.