São Paulo – The landscapes of Oman captivated the viewers of Globo Repórter, aired by TV network Rede Globo, last Friday (April 13th). It was the show’s best viewing rate in 2012: 24 points and a 47% share in overall viewing, according to information from Ibope São Paulo. Featuring a report by journalist Glória Maria, the program took advantage of the desert lighting to show breath-taking images and reveal little-known aspects of life in the Sultanate.
Located in the far north of the Arabian Peninsula, Oman is a country of mountains, desert and sea. Throughout the show, different realities of local inhabitants were shown, such as that of the Bedouins (particularly those who live in the Wahiba desert) and those who dwell in cities, such as the capital Muscat. The contrast showed that tradition and modernity coexist peacefully in that land.
Speaking of peace, tranquillity was another aspect tackled in the show, which was entitled “Oasis of Peace,” because in a region where several neighbouring nations are conflict-ridden, the nation is not marked by war and street confrontation. On the contrary.
Other curiosities shown were a wedding party in which men and women celebrate in separate environments (the bride and groom included), the luxury of the largest mosque in the Sultanate, named Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and covering 40,000 square metres, known for its 4,200-square-metre carpet woven in Iran by 600 women. Not to mention the 14-metre-tall gold-bathed crystal chandelier.
The report also featured the Strait of Ormuz, through whose calm waters 60% of all oil produced in the Gulf passes, free fairs, and even research centres dedicated to studying the properties of dates at Sultan Qaboos University.
Another peculiar moment was Glória Maria’s ride through the desert, during which she struggled with the grumpiness of a camel used to carrying Bedouins. “I was very curious about the daily routines of these people, especially the women. Their day-to-day, what they do, what are their habits and beliefs,” said the reporter.
Curious? The show can be viewed on the web, at the Globo Repórter website: http://g1.globo.com/globo-reporter/ .
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
