Close-up of a brown and white speckled cow with one eye closed, focusing on the face and ear.

Bulls of Batina in Oman

Bulls of Batina in Oman

Written by: Philip Eichkorn Last updated at: May 21, 2025

The Batina plain in the Sultanate of Oman is a 250 km long coastal section in the north of Oman. The region borders the Emirate of Fujairah to the north and the Governorate of Muscat to the south. The Batina plain is the agricultural center of Oman, as citrus fruits, dates, mangoes, bananas, and tomatoes grow here. Additionally, it is the second most populous region of the country with about 1.2 million inhabitants. Together with the adjacent capital region of Muscat, approximately 3.7 million people live here. The regional capital is Sohar, known for its beautiful mosque and deep-sea port.

Al-Batina is well known for its bullfights. However, these are different from what one might think. In bullfights, as known from Spain, it is a bloody contest between human and animal. In Oman, on the other hand, two similarly strong bulls compete against each other. The fight is bloodless and ends when one bull manages to push the other away with its horns.

The capital of bullfighting in Oman is Barka. There is even a specially built stadium for this purpose. It is also possible for tourists to attend such an event. However, it is difficult to plan such a visit, as the event dates are only announced shortly beforehand and usually take place on Fridays. But once you are there, you can experience Oman and its people up close. The audience mainly consists of male Omanis who like to dress nicely for this event and present their polished khanjar dagger. Thus, the bullfights in Oman are more about social status than prize money.Bulls of Batina in Oman - Canvas Club Oman präsentieren. Bei den Stierkämpfen in Oman geht es somit mehr um das gesellschaftliche Ansehen als um Preisgelder.

Discover Oman with experts who have called it their home

Your dream holiday, tailor-made by experts.

We don't just know Oman from books, we visit the country several times a year to experience the culture, landscape and people first-hand.

From your first enquiry to your return home, we are there for you personally - by phone, email or WhatsApp, whenever you need us. Our trips are as unique as you are: individually planned and provided with exclusive privileges and high-quality arrangements that will make your trip unforgettable.

You might also like this

People shopping at an indoor seafood market with long refrigerated display counters.

International Trade

2 min read

Oman's foreign trade in the first half of the last century was limited exclusively to agricultural products. Oman’s top exports early on were dates and regionally produced vegetables, fish, and frankincense resins. Trade during this time was primarily a domestic affair, with virtually no exchange with other states. Even rice, a staple of Omani food, was imported. Other types of goods were rarely imported nor considered necessary. There were no major trading ports in Oman, no serviceable airports, no infrastructure, and no modern communications technology. Oman was a dead country economically, ...

A person dressed in traditional attire standing at the steps of an ancient architectural structure, viewed through an arched doorway, with warm lighting.

Modern Era

1 min read

The Portuguese began to establish small settlements, which were exemplary of the strategy in the Middle East. Yet even here, the Portuguese struggled to establish them long-term. Time and again, they had to defend themselves against the Ottomans, English, Persians, and Dutch. In 1650 AD, it was the Yaruba dynasty that initially unified Oman and expelled the Portuguese. This dynasty had a significant influence on East Africa, bringing great wealth through the slave trade and trade with India. A civil war, lasting about 25 years and resulting from power struggles, allowed the Persians to reemerg...

An oryx antelope standing among tall grass and sand dunes in a desert landscape.

Oryxantelope

2 min read

The Arabian oryx belongs to the subfamily of horse antelopes and is a distinct genus. Its natural habitat is traditionally found in semi-arid and arid landscapes, such as the Arabian Peninsula. Thus, Oman is also part of its natural habitat. In places where the sun shines year-round and it often exceeds 30 degrees even in winter, the Arabian oryx is native. Characteristic of both sexes are its very light, almost white coat and its spiral, slightly curved horns. The shoulder or body height is about 80-100 cm, while the horn length usually measures 50-70 cm. Another feature is the dark brown an...