Lecture by Nasser Al Saqri (Sultan Qaboos University, Oman)

This presentation sheds light on the system of water management and distribution of the aflaj in Oman through the case study of  Falaj Al-Khatamein in Birkat Al-Mouz, which has been registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2006. The lecture will start with an introduction to the historical background of the aflaj system. "Aflaj" (plural Falaj) is a gently sloping subterranean tunnel that drains out groundwater and conveys it onto the earth surface and all falaj systems in Oman are divided into three groups; Dawoodi Falaj, Ayni Falaj and Ghaili Falaj in northern Oman, the typology of aflaj, their cultural significance in the Omani society and their connection to different aspects of life in the past.

The presenter will also talk about the management of aflaj water and the methods of distributing the water shares of aflaj. He will address various aspects connected to the aflaj system, including the irrigation cycle of falaj in the region/village and the daily division of the falaj water shares. Also the methods and tools for measuring irrigation time will be explained, for which a special sundial (Lamad) is necessary during the daytime and traditional star gazing at nighttime. The last part of the presentation will examine Falaj Al-Khatamein. The presenter will discuss the historical background of this falaj and the Birkat Al Mouz area, and will also explain the reasons behind the selection of this falaj and its management system for this study. Moreover, the social and economic aspects of this falaj and their impacts on society will be discussed, and it will be spelled out how the falaj has contributed to social harmony in the area.

Dr. Nasser Al Saqri has been working as an Assistant Professor at the History Department, College of Arts and Social Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University in Oman since September 2022. He received his PhD degree in Modern History from Sultan Qaboos University in 2017 on the topic of “History of Education in Oman During 1888 – 1970”, and an MA in Modern History of Oman in 2007 from the same university. He has years of experience in teaching and doing research, most notably, he has worked as an assistant professor at the University of Nizwa in Oman during the academic year 2021/2022. In addition, he cooperated as a researcher in history with an international team from Tübingen University on the project "Settlement and Society in Pre-modern Oman". His research interests include Oman’s modern history especially social history with a focus on cultural heritage and sustainable development as well as the cultural and social history of the aflaj system in Oman.

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