jordan pulse -

The ancient village of Kurkuma, located northwest of Ajloun Governorate within the Hashimiyah district, continues to preserve a rich cultural and historical legacy dating back to the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman eras, with its mud-brick houses and fertile agricultural lands reflecting the traditional rural lifestyle that has endured for centuries.

Head of the Ajloun Governorate Council Committee, Muawiya Annab, said Kurkuma is among the governorate’s most prominent historical and agricultural landmarks due to its heritage homes and fertile lands, which offer strong potential for sustainable tourism and agricultural investment projects.

He stressed that preserving the village’s mud-brick and stone houses represents an important step toward safeguarding its heritage identity, underscoring the need to support investment initiatives that would revitalize the village and transform it into a heritage and tourism destination capable of generating employment opportunities and supporting the local community.

Head of the Shafa Municipality Committee, Basma Amoush, said Kurkuma embodies part of northern Jordan’s rural memory, highlighting the importance of upgrading infrastructure surrounding heritage sites and integrating them into tourism routes across the governorate.

She underlined that rehabilitating the village’s surrounding environment would help attract more visitors, calling for stronger public-private sector partnerships to preserve the site’s heritage value and develop it into a sustainable cultural and tourism attraction.

Historian Salem Bani Atta said the origins of Kurkuma date back more than 2,000 years, noting that several civilizations, most notably the Roman and Byzantine, passed through the area over the centuries.

He explained that the village’s name is associated with several historical accounts, including one linking it to the turmeric plant, known in Arabic as "kurkum," which was once widely cultivated in the region. He added that the village’s traditional architectural style reflects the nature of rural agricultural life, as residents historically relied on farming and livestock breeding, making Kurkuma a model of villages that have maintained their cultural identity across generations.

Resident Jafar Gharaybeh said that despite the migration of many residents over the years, Kurkuma remains deeply rooted in the daily lives and memories of its people.

He explained that many families continue returning to their lands to cultivate and preserve them, considering them an inseparable part of their social and family identity. He added that the village still retains its natural beauty and tranquility, evoking strong feelings of belonging and childhood memories among its residents.

Nature photographer Muhammad Zaarir said Kurkuma is distinguished by picturesque landscapes where mud-brick homes blend with vast agricultural fields, making it an attractive destination for photographers and nature enthusiasts.

He noted that the village’s diverse terrain and panoramic views overlooking the Jordan Valley enhance its visual appeal, calling for greater promotion of the area through digital platforms and social media to support tourism activity.

Meanwhile, Hashem Shwayat, a member of the "Volunteer Journalists" initiative, said Kurkuma represents a compelling visual and cultural story that deserves wider media attention, stressing the role of local media in showcasing the village’s beauty and highlighting its historical and tourism significance.

He added that documenting rural life in the village contributes to raising awareness about the importance of preserving heritage and supports efforts aimed at revitalizing tourism in the area.

Member of the "Environment Unites Us" initiative Khaled Asouli said Kurkuma possesses a rich agricultural and natural environment that requires protection and sustainable management, stressing the importance of safeguarding agricultural lands from random urban expansion.

He added that preserving vegetation cover and biodiversity in the area would further strengthen its environmental and tourism value, calling for awareness programs that encourage the protection of the village’s natural resources.

//Petra// AJ