The Samurai of Dhofar: A New Face for an Ancient Mountain Identity

At first glance, he looks as if he has walked out of another era. Standing in the rugged heights of Tawi Atair, dressed in distinctive dark traditional clothing of Dhofar, the young man appears almost cinematic against the mountains of Jabal Samhan. Visitors have come to know him as “the Samurai”, an unusual name for a young Dhofari man, but behind the striking character lies a clever idea, making an ancient identity visible to a modern audience.
The Samurai does not simply wear Dhofari heritage. He embodies it.
Behind the character is Amer bin Mahad bin Said al Omari, a young Dhofari who has transformed his connection with mountain life into an authentic tourism experience through the Mountain Heritage Experience.
“I grew up in the mountains of Dhofar”, Amer says. “I do not simply reflect Dhofar’s heritage. I am an inseparable part of it”.
Visitors are invited to wear traditional rural clothing, participate in local songs and dances, discover aspects of mountain life and experience the preparation of madhbi. They can also witness camel milk being prepared using heated stones, turning a visit from simple sightseeing into genuine participation.

“I want visitors to see our culture not only through explanations, but by actually living it”, he says.
Perhaps the Samurai’s most interesting achievement, however, is helping reintroduce the distinctive personality of Dhofar’s mountains, including its appearance, mannerisms and local language. The experience appeals not only to international tourists but also to Omanis and residents curious to rediscover traditions that may have become less visible in everyday life.
Visitors arrive from across Europe, particularly Germany and France, as well as China, Japan, Korea, Russia, Ukraine and India. During khareef, Gulf visitors form a significant part of the audience.
The Samurai’s image has also travelled far beyond the mountains through social media. Visitors photograph their encounters and share their experiences online, giving the village unexpected international reach. Visits from personalities and content creators, including Japanese celebrity Yuji and travel YouTuber Joe Hattab, have further introduced the experience to audiences beyond Oman.
For Amer, however, the most meaningful response is not measured in views.
“I see the amount of amazement in their eyes”, he says. “When they tell us, ‘You live such a pure, healthy, beautiful and simple life, yet it is enjoyable at the same time’, those are moments I never forget”.
That reaction reflects a growing desire for authentic tourism, where visitors can understand how people genuinely live, eat, dress, speak and celebrate.
Amer also sees the experience as a way of protecting heritage from disappearing.
“The mountains hide a different and unique heritage”, he says. “With the rapid development of modern life, we need to present these customs and traditions in a modern and beautiful way, so they do not disappear over time”.
His vision extends beyond the current experience. Amer and his team hope to develop an integrated rural village in Tawi Atair, allowing visitors to spend more time immersed in Dhofari mountain life while creating opportunities for local youth.
“I am simply proud of my culture. My parents taught me never to abandon it, but to be proud of it”.
And perhaps that is why the Samurai works. He does not ask visitors to admire Dhofar’s heritage from a distance. He invites them into it.
In doing so, a young man in traditional dress has become more than a striking figure in a mountain village. He has become a modern storyteller and an unexpected ambassador for Oman’s living heritage.