Al-Maidan is a type of oral tradition that is originated in Oman. The author is usually unknown, so the poems are passed on orally from generation to another. It is a form of poem that must rhyme at the end. Therefore, the speaker should repeat lines or words that sometimes are not relevant to the topic of the poem. Moreover, the speaker must articulate the poem in a certain way which you can hear in the video that I uploaded at the bottom of the page. There are a lot of poems concerns Al-Maidan that has different messages and morals. Some of them reflect emotions and others reflect Omani culture for which I provide examples of poems that are translated by me.
First example:
ما تستوي صلام وبلا دين.... واشوفك هالجروح لمسة دم
أنا زاير صحار وبلادين.... وكيف ما ازورك يالمسندم
Translation:
Don’t be lonely And without faith….I see your scars as a touch of blood.
I have visited Sohar and cities……How come I don’t visit you, my Musandam!
Meaning:
Here the lover is calling the beloved to calm and not worry. He knows what she feels and he visited many cities in Oman. So how come he can’t visit her? he used the word Musandam to show that even if she was in a very far city such as Musandam, he will come for her.
Second example:
ذوب السمن ذوب وكله كذوب.........يا خالق هلا عبيد خلق الله
لي ما يعرف السنع والمايوب.........لا تدخله بيوت خلق الله
Translation:
Do melt, ye, butter, do melt! And all is a lie….. O, Ye who created these servants of God which are His Creation,
Those who don’t know their morals and obligations,…don’t you receive them in any house of God’s Creation.
Meaning:
The first line is not understandable, but it is said to rhyme with the second line where the core of the message lies. The message of the poem is to discipline those who are not following Omani morals and traditions. It is especially used when someone doesn’t know how to do Omani rituals when serving guests. Therefore, the poem says that those people are not disciplined are not welcome in any house until they know how to do their obligations probably.
Third example:
أكل السمك زين مع تمرات ......... قهوة أنا شربت مع تمرة
بنات هل الشيخ معتمرات........... ونوبه خت الشيخ معتمرة
Translation:
Eating fish with dates is good…….. Coffee did I drink with dates
The girls of Sheikh have done Umrah……. And so has the sister of Sheikh.
Meaning:
As I mentioned previously, the lines might not be relevant to each other, but they are said for rhyming purpose. The first line discusses the importance of eating fish with dates as a tradition while the second line discusses something related to Sheikh and his family going to Makkah to do rituals of Umrah, part of Islamic religion.
Forth example:
مدفع نقع من الدريشة وطش ........ يباني البيت عالساحــــل
قليل الادب أنا اهشه هــــش ........ وارمي عظامه عالساحل
Translation:
The canon blows from the window……you who built your house on the cost
He who has no morals, I will butcher……….and I will through his bones on the cost.
Meaning:
This poem was said as a threat to those who don’t follow the morals. It shows that they are not acceptable by the society and they are
Note:
It hurts my heart to know that this type of art is not well-known outside Oman. People should know about this art since it reflects Omani culture and gives morals, especially if it has been recited through generations. Fortunately, this art is well-preserved in Oman and will continue as long as Omani people appreciate it.
This video is taken form a channel in you tube called dramsi nizwa where you will hear the special accent that the speaker do when reciting the poems. Enjoy!!!