Traditional music in the Sultanate of Oman is closely connected to the cultural practices of society. It reflects a rich variety of spiritual and human expression. Despite the uniqueness of this cultural experience, means for engaging with and safeguarding cultural heritage remain underexplored. Traditional music, as part of intangible cultural heritage, retains its significance while remaining vulnerable to gradual erosion and eventual disappearance.  

In this context, a study by Dr. Ayat bint Nasser Al-Mataniya, Head of the Department of Music and Musicology, proposes a balanced approach to Omani musical heritage. The study combines structured institutional protection with authenticity led by community and is based on the belief that heritage can only remain alive if state efforts work alongside local communities. The research aims to find a balance between archival preservation and everyday practice, as well as between national identity and community memory. 

The study highlights how policies for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in Oman face competing pressures – on one side is the goal of national cohesion while, on the other, is the need to preserve cultural diversity. This tension has encouraged the development of community-based archiving initiatives which focus on the living aspects of musical heritage, documenting practices as they are experienced in public spaces rather than only in formal institutional settings. 

Based on data collected from ethnographic interviews with government officials, community archivists, and musicians, the study highlights that official institutions view intangible heritage as central to national identity, tourism, social cohesion, and economic growth. Consequently, these institutions prioritise systematic archiving and formal presentation. This approach produces extensive but relatively static collections of audio and visual materials, often emphasising curated performances over the dynamic life of musical traditions. 

In contrast, community archiving initiatives use flexible and participatory methods as they document live and spontaneous musical events and make use of social media to encourage public engagement. These efforts capture the evolving and adaptive nature of musical traditions, which complement formal institutional strategies. 

The study concludes with a key question: how can Omani musical heritage remain alive without being reduced to merely archival material? It argues that combining institutional and community-based archiving creates a balanced preservation framework. This approach offers both structured protection and community authenticity, thus providing a comprehensive model for safeguarding Omani musical heritage that recognises it as both a national asset and a living, vibrant cultural practice. 

paper link:  https://doi.org/10.1080/01971360.2025.2526912