Kumzari
Kumzar

کومزاري
Regions with significant populations
Oman (Kumzar)	5,000[1]
Iran	500[2]
Languages
Kumzari, Arabic
Religion
Islam[3]
Related ethnic groups
Lurs, Shihuh

The Kumzari or Kumzar (کومزاري) are an Iranian ethnic group^{[citation needed]} native to the Musandam peninsula in northern Oman. They speak the Kumzari language along with the Shihuh tribe who are Arabs unlike the Kumzar. They are traditional fisherman.^[4]

History

The Kumzari are said to have been a Persian-related people who traveled to the northern coast of Oman 500 years ago.^{[5][better source needed][6][failed verification]} Other sources say that the Kumzari originated from the Azd tribe who came to Yemen in the third to fifth centuries AD.^[7] The village was ruled by a shaikh who was elected by the Kumzari and Shihuh people of Kumzar.^[8] Many Kumzari shaikhs married people outside of their village like Labtiab.^[9]

Traditions

Kumzari men perform traditional dances like the Dandana which is a type of dance during Kumzari weddings.^[10] They are regarded as semi-nomads and travel to the village of Khasab for trade.^[11] They have been regarded as "brave fighters" when it comes to combat.^[12]

Language

The Kumzari people have spoken the Kumzari language, which has been designated as an Iranian language, but has a huge Arabic influence as well as Portuguese, English, and Balochi.^[13][14]

References