By Xinhua writer Wang Qiang

KHASAB, Oman, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- At the northernmost tip of Oman, the Musandam Peninsula juts into the Persian Gulf like a dagger, standing guard at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran visible across the water.

Dubbed the "Norway of Arabia," this rugged region is renowned for its dramatic fjord-like inlets, towering cliffs and crystal-clear waters. Nestled within this striking landscape lies one of the most secluded villages in the region: Kumzar.

The journey to Kumzar begins in Khasab, the peninsula's main port, and unfolds like a moving postcard. As boats cut through the shimmering water, sheer cliffs, sculpted over millennia by wind and rain, rise majestically, their striated rock faces resembling the pages of an ancient geological manuscript. Playful pods of dolphins often accompany travelers, leaping alongside vessels as if welcoming them to this hidden world.

After about an hour at sea, the boat glides into a sheltered bay along the Strait of Hormuz, revealing Kumzar, a village quietly tucked away from the bustling maritime highway.

Home to roughly 4,500 residents, Kumzar has flourished for generations on the bounty of the sea. Despite its proximity to one of the world's busiest shipping routes, life here moves to the rhythm of the tides rather than the ticking of a clock.

For most villagers, the sea is both a livelihood and a way of life. Fishermen set out at dawn, returning by sunset with their catch, while children run barefoot along the shore, their laughter carried by the salty breeze.

Yet Kumzar's isolation has preserved more than just its traditional way of life: It has safeguarded a linguistic and cultural treasure. The villagers speak Kumzari, a rare language that blends elements of Persian, Arabic, Portuguese, and other linguistic influences, reflecting centuries of exchange.

"Kumzari has no written form. It is passed down orally, from elders to children," said Mohamed Ali Kumzar, a local villager.

But even in this remote enclave, change is inevitable. Many young people are now leaving for cities in pursuit of education and new opportunities.

"Fewer choose to stay and fish," Mohamed acknowledges. "But that's not something to mourn. Education is more important. I hope our children grow up to become engineers, doctors -- not just fishermen."

Despite its traditional lifestyle, Kumzar is no longer entirely unknown to the outside world. In recent years, Oman has sought to promote the region as a tourist destination, though large-scale commercialization remains absent. Visitors are welcomed by the quiet smiles of the villagers as they return to their daily routines, seemingly unfazed by the rapid pace of the world beyond their sheltered shores.

For now, Kumzar remains a hidden haven, where the past lingers in the voices of its people, the rhythm of the waves, and the enduring spirit of a village shaped by the sea. Enditem

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