Taghribat Al-Qafir

Winner of the International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF), The Water Finder is a poetic masterpiece by Omani author Zahran Al-Qasmi. Set in a drought-stricken Omani village, the novel centers on Salem, born under tragic circumstances when his mother drowned in a well. As he grows, Salem develops a mystical, almost spiritual talent: he can hear the quiet pulse of hidden water deep beneath the earth's rocky surface. Transforming the traditional system of Aflaj (irrigation channels) into a vivid narrative character, Al-Qasmi weaves a rich tapestry of folklore, human resilience, and the sacred relationship between man, land, and water.

It is a celebrated award-winning novel that offers an immersive, poetic entry into Omani folklore and landscape, exploring humanity’s intense relationship with nature through stunning prose.

Readers of award-winning world literature, lovers of magical realism, folklore, and environmental storytelling, and anyone interested in rich Arabic fiction.