SALALAH: The diverse cultural heritage of Dhofar is attracting visitors at the 'Return of the Past' event in Al Saada, one of the key attractions accompanying the Khareef Dhofar 2026 season.
The event recreates the traditional lifestyles of Dhofar’s mountain, rural, Bedouin and coastal communities, offering visitors an insight into how people lived, worked and adapted to the governorate’s varied environments.
During a visit to the venue last week, families were seen exploring recreated traditional homes, heritage displays, craft stalls, cultural performances and food outlets showcasing different aspects of Dhofar’s identity.
The event presents Dhofar’s heritage through its people and way of life rather than only through traditional objects. Each section reflects a different environment that has shaped the governorate’s social and cultural traditions.
The mountain section highlights the heritage of Dhofar’s Jebali communities, whose lives have long been connected with the highlands, livestock and seasonal grazing.
The rural section showcases agricultural villages and farming traditions, while the Bedouin section reflects pastoral lifestyles, mobility, livestock-rearing and hospitality.
The coastal section highlights the importance of the Arabian Sea in shaping the livelihoods of communities along Dhofar’s coastline, particularly through fishing and maritime activities.
Together, the sections demonstrate how Dhofar’s cultural identity has been shaped by its mountains, plains, farms and sea, with each environment contributing its own customs, occupations and traditions.
The attraction has drawn strong interest from families, with older visitors sharing knowledge about traditional practices and objects with younger generations.
A visitor from the UAE praised the organisers’ efforts to preserve and present Dhofar’s heritage in an engaging manner.
“We really appreciate what the organisers are doing here. They are preserving the culture and presenting it in a way that families and visitors can understand. It also gives younger generations an opportunity to see how people lived in the past,” he said.
Traditional performances and folk arts add a live element to the experience, while a dedicated market provides Omani craftswomen and local producers with an opportunity to display and sell handmade products and traditional goods.
Restaurants and cafés serving local dishes and refreshments have also become popular among visitors, making food an integral part of the cultural experience.
Beyond its cultural value, the event is creating seasonal business opportunities for artisans, productive families, food operators and small enterprises by connecting them with visitors during the busy khareef period.
'Return of the Past' is part of the wider programme of cultural, family, sporting and entertainment activities being organised across Dhofar during the khareef season.
While Dhofar is widely recognised for its monsoon landscapes, greenery and cool climate, the event highlights another dimension of the governorate — its people, traditions and living heritage.
By bringing together different aspects of Dhofar’s traditional environments in one venue, 'Return of the Past' offers visitors a closer understanding of the communities and customs that continue to shape the identity of Dhofar today.
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