The origin of bullfighting dates to the Matadors of ancient Spain (on foot) and later the Picadors (on horseback), and its inception in Oman is believed by many to be traceable back to Spain. It is a riveting and exciting encounter solely undertaken by men who pit three spate varieties of bull against each other to secure bragging and “prize bull” rights. The best way to soak up the bull fights and other cultural attractions during your stay here is to check into a luxury Oman hotel which is what you will discover at the Al Wadi Hotel Sohar. With elegant interiors graced by warm hospitality, this stellar choice of all the Oman hotels on the market is sure to beckon your interest. Held bi-monthly on a Friday, the bull-fights of Oman are charged with excitement and anticipation – not so much for the bovine participants as much as for the human instigators. Four different wilayats – Shinas, Sohar, Liwa, and Saham – take turns to host these events that draw huge local crowds eager to see a roster of around 30-35 bulls lock horns and grapple for victory. Spanning around 10-15 rounds, with the prize of the winning bull increasing with each win, the final price can be as high as OMR 2,500 (USD 7,000), although there is no set minimum or maximum. The shouts of the crowd, the mounting anticipation in the air, and the palpable emotion of the animals as they grapple under the encouragement of their owners make bull fighting in Oman a thrilling sport for those that enjoy this spectacle.
Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.