An oasis embraced by golden dunes

By Maryam al Shuaibi

Al Hawiyah is a very small village which is located in Bidiyah in the Al Sharqiyah North Governorate. Al Hawiyah in Arabic means a place surrounded by sand dunes from all the four sides. This small oasis is a very calm and quiet place where people live a very simple life away from the noise of cities and crowds.

One of the famous Omani poets, Mohammed Bin Sheikan described the softness of its land and the gentle breeze that guides a lost soul back to its path. The villagers are strongly attached to their village and to each other.

Al Hawiyah’s people are woven together like a single fabric. They are working very hard to sustain the existence of the village by planting more trees to protect it from advancing dunes. Now, an afforestation project is being implemented in different locations in Bidiyah including Al Hawiyah with the support of the Environment Authority. This afforestation project is expected to expand Al Hawiyah’s green areas since they were vastly decreased because of the dryness of Al falaj which was once among the most vibrant and bountiful waterways, flowing with unmatched abundance.

Although Falaj Al Hawiyah, which was the source of life and nourishment, had dried up, Al Hawiyah is still keeping its beauty. Similarly, Al Hawiyah’s people are strongly attached to their village and the youth reject leaving it. Because of the lack of space in Al Hawiyah village, people have decided to build their houses at the top of the sand dunes which creates a very beautiful landscape. It shows resilience in the face of a challenging environment. It shows the strong attachment between parents and their children who have grown up and decided to live near their parents and raise their children in the same healthy environment.

Al Hawiyah village is a gorgeous village especially after the rains, when the sands soak up the water and glow up with a golden hue. Laughter of the children fills the air and families head out towards the rolling dunes to enjoy their time with their children who run towards the dunes to glide down the slopes holding some plastic bags to skate on.

After heavy rains, the flood water floods the only road into the village creating a very charming scene especially when the cars cross it. Everyone who lives in Al Hawiyah or outside is being attracted by this flooded wadi which brings with it joy and happiness. Although the floodwater is known to be laden with mud and dirt, you will see children playing and swimming in this water while adults bring their coffee or tea to savour the joy of serene view of the flowing water.

Al Hawiyah’s people are very gentle and welcoming. As the village nowadays is becoming a growing tourist destination for visitors from around the world, its people have started developing it with facilities that allow guests to stay comfortably and enjoy the beauty of nature.

At the same time, tourists can witness authentic Omani heritage and experience the Bedouin life in Bidiyah. The locals have set up many attractive camps and organised activities such as camel rides, sand bike riding, sandboarding, fireworks and hot-air balloon rides which offer a magical elevated view of the sweeping golden dunes.