Transitions to Sarb as herders begin migration

SALALAH/TAQAH, SEPT 7
As drizzle fades and low clouds lift, Dhofar shifts into its second season: Sarb. Wildflowers slowly open, and the land breathes after weeks of saturation. With just a few more dry days, herding caravans prepare to move.
In this delicate transition, herders read the ground and wind as carefully as a calendar, charting routes between the mountain, coast and Najd according to moisture, pasture and breeze.
In Taqah, herders rely less on fixed dates than on signals from the earth: the firmness of soil, the colour of grass, the spread of dawn dew. As rains ebb, many descend from summering grounds in the highlands and coast toward inland plains, where early pasture appears on the back of khareef moisture.
“We read the land like a timetable,” said Salem al Mashaikhi, a herder from the Wilayat of Taqah. “When the mud loosens and short, firm plants show, we know it is time. In Sarb, movement widens and tracks open. We spread the herd across familiar plots so we don’t exhaust the ground or the animals.”
Mohammed al Maashani, also from Taqah, described the migration as purposeful, not random: “Every herd follows a mental map - shade, water points, safe descents. We adjust the route each year to the land’s condition. Sarb is real work. You move every few days, watch the pasture, and reassign the herd as needed.”
This traditional 'engineering' of movement now aligns with modest modern support - mobile veterinary visits, weather guidance and supplemental feed - helping reduce risks during the shift.
Sarb also supports a small local economy: feed trade, herding tools, transport, and dynamic livestock markets. “When the pasture improves after khareef, sheep recover and costs fall. Prices move with the season,” said Said al Shahri, who raises a flock with his family. “The aim is to enter winter with a strong, healthy herd.”
As Sarb arrives, eco-tourism and soft adventure also grow. Dry wadi tracks and golden plains draw hikers and campers. Herders, however, remind visitors to respect herd routes, avoid disturbing animals and safeguard water sources. With clear guidance and marked paths, a balance between pastoral life and mindful tourism could become an advantage for Dhofar.
Sarb is more than a dry spell - it is a rhythm of survival. When read well, it strengthens herds, lowers costs and steadies incomes. With smart support - seasonal vet points, simple climate apps and visitor routes that respect pastoral rhythms - this balance can thrive.
As Dhofar shifts from khareef’s lush greens to Sarb’s golden light, the transition remains guided by inherited wisdom. With measured steps, Taqah’s herders lead the way into a season that reframes the bond between people and land: an economy rooted in rain and a culture attuned to rhythm.