Omani Proverbs: Date Palms and Dates

Date palms and their fruit have from ancient times occupied a central part in Arab culture. The date palm is mentioned several times in the Qur’an and the value of dates is also emphasized in a Hadith. Within Arabia, Oman had for a long time been established as a major area of palm date cultivation. The importance of this plant for the inhabitants of this territory is well illustrated by local proverbs which are analyzed in the article.