Islamic Institutional Arrangements of the Aflaj Systems Maintenance in Sultanate of Oman: Operation of the Different Aflaj Type Case Study

Abstract

AbstractThe aflaj (singular falaj) among the most ancient system in Sultanate of Oman, not only collect/extract water from alluvial aquifers, but characterized by holding traditional knowledge/institutional arrangements based upon Muslim jurist view. Since there exists physical water extraction variation over these aquifers, three aflaj type normally classified known as daudi, ghaili (oasis) and ayni (spring). This paper used a sample of these three types to capture the physical-extraction variation in the aim to examine and document the historical methodology undertaken to develop different institutional arrangements. Although there exist three water-extraction processes in Oman, the finding clearly classified the three aflaj types with respect to institution for maintenance into two main categories. The first category considered more complex and hold several sophisticated components or its main water source were constructed near oasis which cause severe damage from the occasional heavy rain flood. Because of this, forced the local to develop institution based on water market. The second category was identified of being simple and was constructed away from flooded areas. This thought to require less financial support for maintenance. Hence, the survey provided evidence by which places daudi and ghaili within the first category and ayni system in the other.KeywordsInstitutional arrangementsScarcityWater allocationWater rights