![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Q4KQ3D3OYTZWZR3U7WHSPCUITQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=616e8c279b9a961b428404c2561447e5b2a5ea9c056b7be32a66d73f54a41a11&width=400&height=225)
Khalifa Hamood. The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7CMHD5LD7TUC4AWLT36YCA4UY4.jpg?smart=true&auth=32f421ecc2442574eb369781b4d3fbf5112d208e91629d3ceb0a1f0a182f4009&width=400&height=225)
Khalifa Hamood. The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman. All photos taken Friday, September 28th by Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6RW2UMBHP4ZH6MJKYII6IZ6W4I.jpg?smart=true&auth=c317229dc1aabe9cc441a737011d694600ae7c49d65e9aa13621a3790202d52d&width=400&height=225)
The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MSEHCPVOD7MHUW3D2NGTYWGNSE.jpg?smart=true&auth=b4e1bc057c57446b5e0922e0a1d2598bf0522b40418674accad02e4c31936084&width=400&height=225)
The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YOJJHM423DLZHOICERIEWHATZQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=5bb529dea7364e2cb13de79fb2b7d4478c8b1dff07cf75e596f8d5f8ea1d9af3&width=400&height=225)
The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/M7IZNXGC27S72X2VC6JJAANJAA.jpg?smart=true&auth=3544bcfd7f2b406aacc98403dde8626603f7f8795b1aa9ca8cd4f2ee538aaacf&width=400&height=225)
The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VYK73JTC3E2J5TAMIVJWFPGJHA.jpg?smart=true&auth=0cf21453556c8689d2e076cbf245dca3c9963a82428f9682b89dce6a0026d069&width=400&height=225)
The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UZDSUV6H6CFZHPXQCO7SYEEDHU.jpg?smart=true&auth=a6690988be1485b51af77c0ca66c2cf76a484bbbf76be452e1e1771e14ad0cf7&width=400&height=225)
The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UEMU6FFDMB5UJ5SAIJ7S7DB3CA.jpg?smart=true&auth=a8c20347172ac604b6ca0f27b108dcf298c6b691aae6339b44abc3606c41071a&width=400&height=225)
The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6BRMSP7DGWIARP4WNSZHFHLHT4.jpg?smart=true&auth=14e60c43296963b8e59017a5a7202485cf360f48b103e5fcfcc1bad113593b10&width=400&height=225)
The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MHLTEMRYGXFPRD7MWHQD47A72M.jpg?smart=true&auth=e452d87738f500ba17eba7ada4f0e9ebcbb06c8ef1cd602852e83bd12c199efc&width=400&height=225)
The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SHRC7Y2KVPBC2A4GDQDVKZGQPU.jpg?smart=true&auth=f16b73e76c5f1afdcf6f895921a304629ca809ee4184d430104818dbd41d8186&width=400&height=225)
The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MR3TIO777NISBLESEUR26UN5LQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=800f17a46fc5d5cb18c4265666d19029b27b3fb5c6d1511ccace3a4723f65146&width=400&height=225)
A women hurts goats. The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QKZ25VHW4UAKMGQJDAYMZX32ZA.jpg?smart=true&auth=858eb948760b999ab92245b9680b61155a79e9989d2a60bb9e036156d4a7e0b1&width=400&height=225)
The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6VLTZ5BZ4NQBLPJ3D44IIEPDIY.jpg?smart=true&auth=88f5d524e00949005c7f6d0c06644fc42fa35cbf17c4159fa455c217da19429a&width=400&height=225)
The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z6FLBENLUE626V3PLMF72TO5QU.jpg?smart=true&auth=8c3071ffc2295206df92e045681f67022e74a243a9026542ec8680401871f979&width=400&height=225)
The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3AMPXO224WQ442VYOJZKTK7CWE.jpg?smart=true&auth=4c14d3d349381d9c034953b64a8e1b16a1df4355c09caa482f22c4646adb024b&width=400&height=225)
Khalifa Hamood. The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VMF4AKNAGP45BD6ELZUXWVSLZI.jpg?smart=true&auth=06b0f43384ed220ff862396aa2d3bf911bf35297d7dedae570ba4807c8724dca&width=400&height=225)
The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/O2CPPYYGXBYCDHFPKBUKLF4MS4.jpg?smart=true&auth=572f60f11fb594ab489159895e5d4ec66b15135791e2ea322fcfa3ca6ff4d2b1&width=400&height=225)
The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Q4KQ3D3OYTZWZR3U7WHSPCUITQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=616e8c279b9a961b428404c2561447e5b2a5ea9c056b7be32a66d73f54a41a11&width=400&height=225)
Khalifa Hamood. The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7CMHD5LD7TUC4AWLT36YCA4UY4.jpg?smart=true&auth=32f421ecc2442574eb369781b4d3fbf5112d208e91629d3ceb0a1f0a182f4009&width=400&height=225)
Khalifa Hamood. The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman. All photos taken Friday, September 28th by Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6RW2UMBHP4ZH6MJKYII6IZ6W4I.jpg?smart=true&auth=c317229dc1aabe9cc441a737011d694600ae7c49d65e9aa13621a3790202d52d&width=400&height=225)
The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MSEHCPVOD7MHUW3D2NGTYWGNSE.jpg?smart=true&auth=b4e1bc057c57446b5e0922e0a1d2598bf0522b40418674accad02e4c31936084&width=400&height=225)
The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YOJJHM423DLZHOICERIEWHATZQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=5bb529dea7364e2cb13de79fb2b7d4478c8b1dff07cf75e596f8d5f8ea1d9af3&width=400&height=225)
The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/M7IZNXGC27S72X2VC6JJAANJAA.jpg?smart=true&auth=3544bcfd7f2b406aacc98403dde8626603f7f8795b1aa9ca8cd4f2ee538aaacf&width=400&height=225)
The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VYK73JTC3E2J5TAMIVJWFPGJHA.jpg?smart=true&auth=0cf21453556c8689d2e076cbf245dca3c9963a82428f9682b89dce6a0026d069&width=400&height=225)
The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UZDSUV6H6CFZHPXQCO7SYEEDHU.jpg?smart=true&auth=a6690988be1485b51af77c0ca66c2cf76a484bbbf76be452e1e1771e14ad0cf7&width=400&height=225)
The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UEMU6FFDMB5UJ5SAIJ7S7DB3CA.jpg?smart=true&auth=a8c20347172ac604b6ca0f27b108dcf298c6b691aae6339b44abc3606c41071a&width=400&height=225)
The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6BRMSP7DGWIARP4WNSZHFHLHT4.jpg?smart=true&auth=14e60c43296963b8e59017a5a7202485cf360f48b103e5fcfcc1bad113593b10&width=400&height=225)
The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MHLTEMRYGXFPRD7MWHQD47A72M.jpg?smart=true&auth=e452d87738f500ba17eba7ada4f0e9ebcbb06c8ef1cd602852e83bd12c199efc&width=400&height=225)
The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SHRC7Y2KVPBC2A4GDQDVKZGQPU.jpg?smart=true&auth=f16b73e76c5f1afdcf6f895921a304629ca809ee4184d430104818dbd41d8186&width=400&height=225)
The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MR3TIO777NISBLESEUR26UN5LQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=800f17a46fc5d5cb18c4265666d19029b27b3fb5c6d1511ccace3a4723f65146&width=400&height=225)
A women hurts goats. The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QKZ25VHW4UAKMGQJDAYMZX32ZA.jpg?smart=true&auth=858eb948760b999ab92245b9680b61155a79e9989d2a60bb9e036156d4a7e0b1&width=400&height=225)
The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6VLTZ5BZ4NQBLPJ3D44IIEPDIY.jpg?smart=true&auth=88f5d524e00949005c7f6d0c06644fc42fa35cbf17c4159fa455c217da19429a&width=400&height=225)
The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z6FLBENLUE626V3PLMF72TO5QU.jpg?smart=true&auth=8c3071ffc2295206df92e045681f67022e74a243a9026542ec8680401871f979&width=400&height=225)
The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3AMPXO224WQ442VYOJZKTK7CWE.jpg?smart=true&auth=4c14d3d349381d9c034953b64a8e1b16a1df4355c09caa482f22c4646adb024b&width=400&height=225)
Khalifa Hamood. The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VMF4AKNAGP45BD6ELZUXWVSLZI.jpg?smart=true&auth=06b0f43384ed220ff862396aa2d3bf911bf35297d7dedae570ba4807c8724dca&width=400&height=225)
The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/O2CPPYYGXBYCDHFPKBUKLF4MS4.jpg?smart=true&auth=572f60f11fb594ab489159895e5d4ec66b15135791e2ea322fcfa3ca6ff4d2b1&width=400&height=225)
The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Q4KQ3D3OYTZWZR3U7WHSPCUITQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=616e8c279b9a961b428404c2561447e5b2a5ea9c056b7be32a66d73f54a41a11&width=400&height=225)
Khalifa Hamood. The modern south Arabian language of Bathari is spoken by a handful of people from the remote region around Shuwaimiyyah, 300 km west of Salalah, Oman.
Race is on to preserve an Omani language spoken by 17 people
An Italian linguist and an Omani tribesman fight to save a poetic maritime dialect
Anna Zacharias
29 December, 2019
- Listen In English
- Listen In Arabic