Ajloun: 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.
According to Jordan News Agency, Head of the Ajloun Governorate Council Committee, Muawiya Annab, emphasized that Kurkuma is among the governorate's most prominent historical and agricultural landmarks due to its heritage homes and fertile lands. Annab noted that these aspects offer strong potential for sustainable tourism and agricultural investment projects. He stressed that preserving the village's mud-brick and stone houses is crucial for safeguarding its heritage identity and underscored 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, remarked that 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. Amoush called 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 shared insights on the origins of Kurkuma, noting that the village dates back more than 2,000 years and has seen the passage of several civilizations, including the Roman and Byzantine. He mentioned that the village's name is linked to historical accounts, such as the cultivation of the turmeric plant, known in Arabic as "kurkum." Bani Atta explained that the village's traditional architectural style reflects the nature of rural agricultural life, as residents historically relied on farming and livestock breeding.
Resident Jafar Gharaybeh explained that despite the migration of many residents over the years, Kurkuma remains deeply rooted in the daily lives and memories of its people. He noted that many families continue to return to their lands to cultivate and preserve them, viewing them as an integral part of their social and family identity. Gharaybeh added that the village retains its natural beauty and tranquility, evoking strong feelings of belonging among its residents.
Nature photographer Muhammad Zaarir highlighted Kurkuma's picturesque landscapes, where mud-brick homes blend with vast agricultural fields, making it an attractive destination for photographers and nature enthusiasts. Zaarir noted that the village's diverse terrain and panoramic views enhance its visual appeal and called for greater promotion through digital platforms to support tourism activity.
Meanwhile, Hashem Shwayat, a member of the "Volunteer Journalists" initiative, stressed that Kurkuma represents a compelling visual and cultural story deserving wider media attention. He emphasized the role of local media in showcasing the village's beauty and historical and tourism significance and highlighted the importance of documenting rural life to raise awareness about heritage preservation.
Khaled Asouli, a member of the "Environment Unites Us" initiative, noted that Kurkuma possesses a rich agricultural and natural environment requiring protection and sustainable management. Asouli stressed the importance of safeguarding agricultural lands from random urban expansion and preserving vegetation cover and biodiversity to strengthen the area's environmental and tourism value. He advocated for awareness programs to encourage the protection of the village's natural resources.