Sikkat Al Boush: A Historic Artery in Sur

Sur — Siham Al Jabriyah: no one who has lived in the Wilaya of Sur, or come to it as a merchant, a visitor or a passer-by, but has known or come to know this historic commercial landmark associated with Sur, namely "Sikkat Abush". This name is derived from the passage of the camels (nuq) that cross this road on their way to "Al Fardha" — the old customs of the port of Sur — laden with goods to and from Al Fardha, to be transported afterwards by the commercial maritime fleet of Sur, which exceeded 300 trading ships that roamed the seas and anchored in the ports of the world, from Sur Al Afia to Yemen and India, passing through the ports of the Arab Gulf and Basra in Iraq, carrying dates to Africa.

For the merchants, Sikkat Abush represents the artery through which the goods coming from the interior regions of Al Sharqiyah, the interior region and Al Dhahirah are transported, where the camels — or, as they are called, "abush" (al boush) — come laden with foodstuffs such as dates, dried lemons, date syrup and other materials, passing through one single passage on their way to Al Fardha to unload their cargo and load up with the other goods coming from abroad, then return to their homelands. Sikkat Abush represents history for the people of Sur since ancient times, and the generations have inherited this name despite the years; Sikkat Abush has remained present in the conscience of the people of Sur because of Sur's connection to maritime trade and its links with the wilayas and villages of the Sultanate and the outside world. The development that has come upon this track, with the establishment of shops, has caused no change to this historic name: when one tries to ask about a shop located on either side of the track, or to enquire about the women's market, one is told it is "on Sikkat Abush", which begins at the start of the commercial market — the entrance of the commercial quarter — at Hillat Naama, to Hillat Makha facing Al Batah, where there is now the suspension bridge facing Al Ayjah.
* "Sikka" means the alley, the road or the narrow passage.
* "Abush" means the camels or the nuq, "al boush".
* "Al Fardha" means the port, or the place where ships anchor and goods are cleared through customs.