The Sultanate of Oman is the oldest independent state in the Arab world. Its history dates back to around 100,000 years ago. With archeological evidence supporting it, it also has one of the earliest inhabited cities Al Wattih, dating back to around 10,000 years ago. Greetings reader, my name is Mohamed “Mo” Al Braiki, I am the ICSP representative for the Sultanate of Oman. In today’s post, we will take a brief look at Oman’s history along with some of its relationships with other nations.
Located on the southeastern quarter of the Arabian Peninsula, Oman is surrounded by the Gulf of Oman, the Arabian Sea, and the Persian Gulf. Oman also borders the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. Historically, due to its geographic location and large coast, many Omanis found work in different sea-related jobs. Because of this, Oman is considered one of the leading nations in seafaring. Pioneering in this field allowed it to build a reputation and establish connections with other civilizations around the world more specifically in Iraq, India, and Europe. Remains of a reed boat used for trading with India were found and dates back to around 4,500 years ago. Omanis’ capabilities in ship boating as well as excellent sea navigation skills would in return make the region more famous as our ports and harbors were well known around the world serving as a link between regions that could not meet before.
Now that we have established how Oman’s location and pioneering shipbuilding and sea navigation enabled Oman to be involved with trade and establish connections with other civilizations, it is time to talk about some of the most noteworthy connections, which are India, the United Kingdom, and the United States. From the 17th to 19th century under the rule of Sultan Saif bin Sultan, Oman began expanding, and by the end, it had included parts of the East African Coast turning Zanzibar into Oman’s second capital next to Muscat, parts of Arabia, and ports in what are now modern-day Pakistan and Iran. This outreach established Oman’s role in the Indian Ocean as it became a powerful regional trading power based on maritime trade. Throughout history, India and Africa formed a strong basis for Oman’s international exchange. India was considered Oman’s major trade partner well before it established itself as an empire. Oman obtained rice, spices, textiles, cloth, and wood for shipbuilding from India, whereas India received Omani dates, dye roots, pearls, almonds, and herbal medicine. Oman also transited goods from the gulf region such as silkworms and sulfur to be traded.
Equally as important were Oman’s ties to countries on the East African Coast. After Oman drove the Portuguese out of African ports just as it removed them from its own ports they expanded their trade network with the region. Goods exchanged between the two countries included ghee, frankincense, dried fish, and cotton from Oman while getting Ivory, timber spices, and ambergris. Most of the goods exported out of Africa were destined for countries such as China, India, and Iraq further demonstrating how influential Omanis were in international trading during those times.
During the 16th century, Oman fell under the rule of the Portuguese who turned to their ports to secure more profits in the Indies spice trade. In order to reduce their rule on the land and make it easier for Omanis to expel the Portuguese, Oman made initial contacts with the British East India Company resulting in a treaty that guaranteed British merchants operating in Oman trading, religious and legal rights, weakening the Portuguese hold on the area. The British and Oman continued their relationship upon the expulsion and continued to be an ally to Oman with treaties being signed to establish their political and trading relationship.
Our relationship with the United States has also been a positive one. Beginning with a trade relationship between the two nations as President Andrew Jackson agreed to the idea of facilitating and trading American goods with the Omani empire through the advice of Edmund Roberts, an American merchant visiting Zanzibar which was at the time a capital of Oman in the East African region of the empire. After the signing of the treaty, American merchants enjoyed economic and judicial rights and privileges throughout the empire. In 1840 Sayyid Said the leader of the empire at the time sent his ship Sultana to New York under the leadership of the first Arabian Ambassador to the United States Ahmed AL-Kaabi. The journey from Oman to New York was not limited to being political or diplomatic but also included commercial deals.
The Omani ships carried many gifts to the president of the United States reflecting on Omani generosity as a part of Omani culture. Gifts included two indigenous Arabian horses, precious stones and jewels as well as pure Arabian perfumes. The president in turn presented to the Sultan a large steamer including its furniture, a number of American products as well as six distinctive weapons; four pistols and two rifles. The treaty between the US and the Omani empire remained until 1958 when it was abolished and replaced by a treaty of friendship, economic relations, and consular rights between the two.
I always use the analogy that Oman is the Switzerland of the Middle East. We often do not intervene in conflicts unless it is to broker peace between those involved, maintaining friendly political relationships with a huge number of nations around the world, preserving our history as one of the world’s most peaceful and politically neutral nations in the world.
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