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A
changing life The people of the Sanctuary have traditionally been
nomadic goat and camel herders. Before the arrival of
oil exploration teams in 1955, their way of life had
remained unchanged for hundreds of years. Since then,
and particularly since modern development began in Oman
in 1970, the people’s lifestyle has been continually
changing. |
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Economy
Before 1955 people were dependent on their goats and camels
for most of their needs, with only a few animals being sold
to raise cash for additional items. The arrival of oil
exploration teams brought opportunities for paid employment.
The oil companies and the Arabian Oryx Project are the main
employers today.
Water
Before 1956 the only water available on the Jiddat was fog
water collected from Acacia trees. Along the Al Huqf
escarpment water was available from small seepages and a few
hand-dug wells. Today water is available from desalination
plants within the Sanctuary.
Transport
Before 1974 camels were the only means of transport for
families in the Sanctuary. In that year the first locally
owned truck appeared, and within five years nearly every
household had a truck. This has allowed the people to become
more settled as water and animal feed can be easily
transported to the home.
Food
Traditionally, the people of the Sanctuary lived mainly on
milk from their animals and on dates, dried fish, flour,
coffee, and tea that were bought in markets up to 15 days
camel-ride away. Meat was rarely eaten. Since the mid-1970s
a number of small shops have opened locally selling a wide
range of imported food and other goods.
Shelter and settlement
In the past, the people of the Jiddat lived in the shade of
Acacia trees with very few possessions, allowing families to
move easily. During the 1980s nearly all families bought
frame tents. In the 1990s a small number of families began
to live in portacabins or cement-block houses.
Health and education
Before 1970 traditional medicine was the only form of health
care in the desert. However, in 1987 a hospital was opened
at Hayma and today there are a number of hospitals and
clinics in the region. The first school in the region was
built in 1982. Today there are at least two preparatory
schools for boys and girls in the Sanctuary and four
secondary schools in the region. |
