Oman’s coastline and mountain wadis have long been crossroads for traders, sailors and tribal communities, which created a patchwork of languages across the country. From port towns to remote mountain villages, local tongues reflect histories of migration, trade and cultural exchange.
There are 10 Indigenous Languages in Oman, ranging from Bahrani Arabic to Zadjali. For each, data are organized into columns labeled Family,Region,Speakers (est.) — you’ll find below.
Are these languages still spoken by communities in Oman today?
Yes — many are actively used in daily life, especially in home and community contexts; some have large speaker bases, while others are limited to small, often rural populations and may be endangered. Check the Speakers (est.) and Region columns below for a quick sense of where each language remains active.
How reliable are the speaker estimates and where do they come from?
Speaker numbers are estimates drawn from recent censuses, field research and linguistic surveys, so they vary by source and date; treat them as approximations that show relative size and distribution rather than exact counts.
Indigenous Languages in Oman
| Language | Family | Region | Speakers (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jibbali | Modern South Arabian (Semitic) | Dhofar Governorate (Qara Mountains) | 25,000 |
| Mehri | Modern South Arabian (Semitic) | Dhofar and Al Wusta Governorates | 50,000 |
| Kumzari | Southwestern Iranian | Musandam Governorate (Strait of Hormuz) | 2,300 |
| Southern Balochi | Northwestern Iranian | Muscat, Al Batinah Coast | 47,000 |
| Harsusi | Modern South Arabian (Semitic) | Al Wusta Governorate (Jiddat al-Harasis) | 1,000-2,000 |
| Luwati | Indo-Aryan | Muscat (Muttrah), Al Batinah Coast | 5,000 |
| Zadjali | Indo-Aryan | Al Batinah Coast | 2,500 |
| Hobyot | Modern South Arabian (Semitic) | Dhofar Governorate (Oman-Yemen border) | 100 |
| Bathari | Modern South Arabian (Semitic) | Dhofar Governorate (southeastern coast) | <100 |
| Bahrani Arabic | Arabic variety (Semitic) | Muscat, Al Batinah Coast | 1,000 |
Images and Descriptions
Jibbali
Also known as Shehri, this language is spoken in the mountains of Dhofar. It is not mutually intelligible with Arabic and retains ancient Semitic features. While still used daily in its region, it is considered vulnerable due to pressure from Arabic.
Mehri
The most widely spoken Modern South Arabian language in Oman, centered in western Dhofar and extending into Yemen. Although it has a large speaker base, it is considered endangered as younger generations increasingly shift to Arabic for education and work.
Kumzari
A unique Iranian language spoken exclusively by fishermen in the village of Kumzar and parts of Khasab. It is heavily influenced by Arabic vocabulary but has a distinct Iranian structure. Due to its isolation and small community, it is severely endangered.
Southern Balochi
Spoken by Omani Baloch communities with centuries-old roots in the country, especially from historical ties to Makran. It is not an Arabian language but has an established, long-standing presence and is a vibrant community language in parts of Oman.
Harsusi
Spoken by the Harasis tribe in central Oman’s desert plains. Harsusi is closely related to Mehri but is considered a distinct language. UNESCO classifies it as definitely endangered due to its small speaker base and the dominance of Arabic.
Luwati
An Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Lawatiyya, a historical mercantile community mainly in Muttrah. Related to Sindhi, it is highly endangered, with active use now mostly confined to older members of the community for intra-group communication.
Zadjali
An endangered Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Zadjali people along the Batinah coast. It is thought to be a dialect of Sindhi or a closely related language, reflecting centuries of trade and migration. Its usage is now largely restricted to elders.
Hobyot
A critically endangered Modern South Arabian language spoken in a very small area where Oman meets Yemen. With only a handful of elderly speakers remaining, it is on the verge of extinction and shares linguistic features with both Jibbali and Mehri.
Bathari
A moribund Modern South Arabian language once spoken along the coast near the Hallaniyat Islands. With extremely few elderly speakers left, it is one of the world’s most critically endangered languages, having been almost completely replaced by Arabic.
Bahrani Arabic
A distinct Gulf Arabic dialect spoken by the Baharna, a community with deep historical roots in Oman. Although an Arabic variety, its unique phonology and vocabulary set it apart from modern Omani dialects. It is considered highly endangered in Oman.
