The Bedouins, Arab nomads who live in the desert, continue to maintain their traditional way of life even in modern society. Today, I’d like to share my experience visiting the home of an elderly Bedouin couple I met in Oman’s Wahiba Desert. Let me tell you about the heartwarming moments spent in this remote desert house where tradition and modernity interweave.
Bedouin Life and the Opportunity for Our Visit
The Bedouins are a people who have lived nomadic lives across the Arabian Peninsula for centuries. In recent years, settlement has progressed, and they now lead unique lives that blend traditional lifestyles with modern elements. I wanted to experience their daily life, particularly to share coffee – which holds important meaning in Arab culture – and connect with them on a personal level. When I consulted with our local guide about this desire, they were able to arrange an introduction to a Bedouin family living in the Wahiba Desert.
A Solitary House in the Desert
Among the rolling sand dunes of the Wahiba Desert, a single house suddenly appeared. With nothing around it, this was truly a “solitary house in the middle of nowhere.” The elderly couple living there welcomed me, a complete foreign stranger, with surprising warmth.
The Bedouin home we visited. Despite our sudden visit, the lady welcomed us wearing a batula (a mask worn by married women) on her face.
It should be noted that this wasn’t an unannounced visit to a private home like in TV shows, but rather a visit to a Bedouin tent that opens to tourists. Traditional Bedouin dwellings appear to be valuable tourist resources in the region.
Interior Where Tradition and Modernity Harmonize
Inside the Bedouin tent
Upon entering the house, I found a space where traditional Bedouin wisdom and modern comfort were beautifully harmonized. The building structure follows traditional Bedouin style, with ingenious ventilation design considering the desert heat. The indoor temperature was surprisingly comfortable, unlike the scorching heat outside.
The interior was more luxurious and sophisticated than expected. High-quality velvet-like furniture was arranged throughout, and the carpets covering the entire floor were beautiful pieces whose quality was immediately apparent. Traditional decorative items were displayed everywhere, showcasing the refined aesthetic sense of the desert people.
Traditional Coffee Time
Once seated inside, the lady prepared traditional Arabic coffee for us. Along with the coffee, plenty of dates were also served. In Oman, it’s customary for dates to always accompany such tea gatherings.
The sweetness of the dates was remarkably rich, with honey-like flavors filling my mouth. Then, the long-awaited coffee was brought out. From the amber liquid poured into small traditional cups, a rich aroma rose. With the first sip, the spicy flavor of cardamom spread through my mouth, and I was moved by the authentic taste of Omani Arabic coffee.
Traditional Women’s Attire
What was particularly impressive was the lady’s attire. She demonstrated a very devout attitude toward Islamic teachings,
wearing a unique mask I had never seen before. This mask, worn over the hijab (headscarf), had the peculiar characteristic of covering only the nose area.
Different from the black abaya (full-body covering) common in Saudi Arabia, this was traditional attire commonly seen in Oman, called “batula.” It’s primarily worn by devout married Bedouin women to cover the nose. According to our guide’s explanation, as women age, many prefer more strict forms of dress.
Heart-to-Heart Connection Beyond Language Barriers
When I attempted conversation with my limited Arabic, the lady smiled kindly beneath her mask. Her expression came through clearly even through the mask, warming my heart. Even though our languages weren’t fully compatible, I experienced a moment where the desire to understand each other created a genuine bond.
When I offered Japanese sweets I had brought as a gift, she was very pleased and in return gave me even more dates to take with me. I felt deep gratitude for this heartfelt and warm hospitality.
The welcoming Bedouin home made me want to stay longer
Conclusion
The experience at the solitary house in the Wahiba Desert became an irreplaceable memory where I could directly experience Oman’s traditional culture and the warmth of its people. The Bedouin lifestyle that carefully preserves traditional values while harmonizing with modern life, and above all, experiencing moments where hearts connect beyond language barriers – this was the very essence of travel.
The elderly couple who warmly welcomed an unknown foreigner and treated me with the finest hospitality – I am deeply grateful from my heart for having such a wonderful encounter and experience at this solitary house in the desert.
