Afro-Omanis

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]

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

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

• Ali Al-Habsi, footballer
• Tippu Tip, slave trader

See also

• Slavery in Oman