Kufr Khall
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Kufr Khall, (also written Kufur Khall, Kufr Khal) (Arabic: كفرخل ), is a village in the north of Jordan, in the Jarash governorate. The origin of its name, is from Syriac kafr meaning the village or the country and from Arabic khall that means vinegar, or more generally, grape. So the words Kufr Khall stand for 'the village of grapes'. Effectively, Kufr Khall is still famous nowadays for its well-known grapes production.
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[edit] Geography
Kufr Khall is located at the west of the main road connecting Jerash to Irbid. The village is built on three main hills; Jabal Snad, Jabal Ahed and al-Jabal al-Gharbi. Kufr Khall represents an important link between Ajloun Mountains and the large flat land of Houran. The total area of the village is estimated 250 km², of which 130 belonging to woodland areas.
[edit] History
[edit] Kufr Khall as a rural centre
Kufr Khall was no doubt an important rural centre since Roman domination of Jordan, and a complex of several tombs (discovered in 1981) clearly shows the importance of Kufr Khall in the Byzantine age. Umayyad and Abbasid presence in Kufr Khall is also witnessed by several ruins. Kufr Khall saw a moment of decline of its splendor in the 17th century; anyway, important documents proof the presence of Kufr Khall as a rural community in the early Ottoman age. [1]
[edit] Pre-Islamic era
A number of stone-made instruments were found at one kilometer of distance from the town, and labeled as Neolithic. There are oral narrations about the presence of an antique Roman church (called the white church) in the past. Mosaics were also found in different locations. The Roman dominion of the zone is visible in three different places: al- Deyr, Hattin and in Kufr Khall itself.
[edit] Islamic era
Kufr Khall was conquered by Islamic Armies commanded by Shurayhbil bin Hasnah as a direct result of Battle of Fahl in 635 A.D. Mameluke ceramics were found in several sectors of Kufr Khall, and diverse houses built by Mamelukes were rebuilt on the rising of the Ottoman dominion of the zone.
[edit] People
The main families are divided as follow: Afarat which is derived from one of the biggest tribes in Jordan which is Otoom: they are five principal groups: Mahasneh, Bani Ahmad, Bani Muhammad, Nawasreh and Bani Taha.
Rasasy, Ga'adneh, Baytawy are with others, the smallest tribes of the village.
The Legend: Sheikh Abdullah Ibn Easa Mahasneh & his Mare horse:
" Samhah El Gomeaa" (Samha el gomeya) Sheikh Abdullah Ibn Easa Mahasneh is the owener of this legend as during the period as early as 1700 the grand father of the Mahasneh tribe has had settelled in kufr khall. His descendents Mouhaisen who gave Easa, Mousa, Mefleh, & Hasan during the 18th century. Then latter on Easa gave Abdullah Ibn Easa (1793-1873) who have established the first Madafa in Kufr Khall (build over 4 canater and large courtyard) & became the Sheikh of the village until 1873 when he passed away since illness. He has shared in Ajlun revolution during 1830-1840 particularly 1t 1839 when 3 of his friends where hanged by Turks for their resistant of Taxes and military services. His sons Mofleh has served in Al-Majar (back to the village fluent in Ottoman language) and Ahmad on sues channel against the British attacks late 19th century. However, Sheikh Abdullah had left several legends behind, among these was of his Asil horse (Chestnut mare) Known (as written by encyclopedias & historical manuscripts) " Samhah El Gomeaa" (Samha el gomeya). Bouth and shared from Prince Shibli AL-Atrash, & Dogan Al-Atrash (who had hanged by Turks). The horse belong to the best Arabian strain ever seen by Lady Blunt of England during here visit to Arabia 1870 (as she said: the most handsomest, strongest and tallest horse we ever seen was " Samhah El Gomeaa" ). A sister of which was bought by Abass Pash of Eygept during his visit to southern Syria at 1840. The horse was one of few Asil owned by sheikhs of Muhaid Fida'n Aneza in the southern Syrian badia and by Sheiks of Sa'doun of Muntafiq of southern Iraq, mubark Al-Sabah of Kuwait, Abass Pash of Eygept, Lady Blunt of England, Sultan Ottoman Saleem II, President of USA. (for details refer to the internet sites of Sheikh Obeyed foundation and also the Encyclopedia Britannica). The summary of the legend of " Samhah El Gomeaa" is that when Shykh Abdullah had fallen bed in illness, the horse has fastened & refused to eat & contiued screeming & shortening, digging in soil with here feets until she made a large grave on here site. This behavior was provacated when Shykh Abdullah spoken or cough during illness, a case continued for 12 days and then the horse die next day of Shykh Abdullah death. Fortunately, here descendents (9 mares) continue with Shykh Abdullah sons until 1946; Klaif & Ahmad (both were revolt ant against Turks). More recently, a descendent of Shykh Abdullah, Distinguished Professor Ihsan Ibn Ali Ibn Kliaf Ibn Abdullah) have re-establish the Shykh Abdullah Madafah for his spirit. The Madafa (1000 m2) located on the highest hell of Kufr Khall facing the Prince Hamzah Natural Reserve in the southwest of the village having seenary on Houran flat, sweada of Jabal Druz in the north east and Jabal al-Sheikh of Syria on the North. Sheik Abdullah have had several relations with the Amirs of the southern Syria at that time including Emirate Al-Atrash in jabal Druze, Amir Aneza, Hindawi of Noemah, Dandan sheikh Souf (a village south to Kufr Khall), Shurideh of Tubneh, Freahat of Ajlun, Kayeed Al yousef of Souf, Sheiks of Bani Sakar, Bai Hasan.
The documents of sheik Abdullah and his Ottoman Land certificate (dafter Al Taboo) together with the Transjordan Emarah passport of his son Klaif are all preserved in the Library exhibition of the Re-built Madafah of Shykh Abdullah owned by Distinguished Professor Ihsan Mahasneh who is certainly following steps of his Father & Grad fathers on receiving & helping people from all over the Me'rad area (called M'rad because it was the only area which defeat the Bedouin attacks on villagers during the 19 century. The Madafa (1000 m2) located on the highest hell of Kufr Khall facing the Prince Hamzah Natural Reserve in the southwest of the village having seenary on Houran flat, sweada of Jabal Druz in the north east and Jabal al-Sheikh of Syria on the North. Sheik Abdullah have had several relations with the Amirs of the southern Syria at that time including Emirate Al-Atrash in jabal Druze, Amir Aneza, Hindawi of Noemah, Dandan sheikh Souf (a village south to Kufr Khall), Shurideh of Tubneh, Freahat of Ajlun, Kayeed Al yousef of Souf, Sheiks of Bani Sakar, Bani Hasan. The documents of sheik Abdullah and his Ottoman Land certificate (dafter Al Taboo) together with the Transjordan Emarah passport of his son Klaif are all preserved in the Library exhibition of the Re-built Madafah of Shykh Abdullah owned by Distinguished Professor Ihsan Mahasneh who is certainly following steps of his Father & Grad fathers on receiving & helping people from all over the Me'rad area (called M'rad because it was the only area which defeat the Bedouin attacks on villagers during the 19 century.
[edit] Economy
Kufr Khall is famous for its olive oil, and there is a seasonal fair (market) for the trading of this product. Other agricultural products are grapes, figs, apples and pomegranate. Several handcraft, cheese and traditional products are made also.
[edit] Social Life
[edit] Religion
The inhabitants are all Sunni Muslims, there are three principal mosques in Kufr Khall, an old, now restored, eastern mosque, a western mosque built in 1984 (al Hajj Abdallah Mosque) and a new mosque named Abu Bakr as- Siddiq. Two historical shrines (tombs of Awlya') are located in Kufr Khall.
[edit] Traditions
The traditions of Kufr Khall people are similar to the northern Jordanians. Must be mentioned: the Sbu'yyeh (food offered after a week of the burial to the dead's family), the Madaleh (welcoming people for three days after funeral and offering them coffee), the Khamisyyah (religious sacrifice of goats in spring), important religious festivities, such Eid ul-Fitr, Eid al Adha (al Eid al Kabir) and Al-Mawlidu N-Nabawi Sh-Sharif, have their rituals for the people of Kufr Khall. [2]
