Afro-Omanis

Last updated
Afro-Omanis
Regions with significant populations
Dhofar, Sur, Muscat
Languages
Arabic
Religion
Islam
Related ethnic groups
Omanis, Afro-Saudis, Al-Akhdam, Afro-Palestinians, Afro-Jordanians, Afro-Iraqis, Afro-Syrians

Afro-Omanis are Omani people of African Zanj heritage. Most live in the coastal cities of Oman, with many speaking Arabic and adhering to Islam. Their origins date back to the time of the Arab slave trade and era Slavery in Oman, and when Zanzibar was a part of the Omani Empire. [1] [2]

Contents

History

Many Afro-Omanis are descendants of slaves, mainly trafficked via the Indian Ocean slave trade and the Zanzibar slave trade from the Swahili coast. On 23 July 1970, the Sultan of Oman Said bin Taimur was deposed in the 1970 Omani coup d'état and his successor Qaboos bin Said initiated a number of reforms, of which the abolition of slavery in Oman was one. [3]

Heritage

Some Afro-Omanis are still able to maintain rituals related to healing that are of Zanj origin. The languages used in these rituals are Swahili and Arabic. [4]

Notable People

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stone Town</span> Town in Zanzibar, Tanzania

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian Ocean slave trade</span>

The Indian Ocean slave trade, sometimes known as the East African slave trade, was multi-directional slave trade and has changed over time. Captured in raids primarily south of the Sahara, predominately black Africans were traded as slaves to the Middle East, Indian Ocean islands, Indian subcontinent, and Java. Beginning in the 16th century, they were traded to the Americas, including Caribbean colonies.

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Frere Treaty was an treaty signed between Britain and the Sultanate of Zanzibar in 1873. Signed by Barghash bin Said of Zanzibar, it formally prohibited all import of slaves to the Sultanate of Zanzibar and forced the closure of the slave market in Zanzibar Stone Town. It made it possible for the British to stop all slave ships in the Indian Ocean, becoming a major blow to the Indian Ocean slave trade.

References

  1. "Age of Revolution: Omani Empire". Historyworldsome.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2021-07-31.
  2. "Zanzibar | Geography, History, & Map". Encyclopedia Britannica.
  3. Miers, S. (2003). Slavery in the Twentieth Century: The Evolution of a Global Problem. USA: AltaMira Press. p. 346-347
  4. "The African Diaspora in the Indian Ocean World". Exhibitions.nypl.org. Retrieved 2021-07-31.