| Johfiyeh جحفية |
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| — Johfiyeh-Historical Village — | |||
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Johfiyeh
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| Coordinates: | |||
| Country | Jordan | ||
| Province | Irbid Governorate | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Municipality | ||
| • Mayor | Yahya Ibrahim Telfah | ||
| Area | |||
| • Metro | 4 km2 (1.5 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation[1] | 794 m (2,605 ft) | ||
| Population (2008)[2][3] | |||
| • Johfiyeh-Historical Village | 4,000 | ||
| Time zone | GMT +2 | ||
| • Summer (DST) | +3 (UTC) | ||
| Area code(s) | +(962)2 | ||
| Website | http://www.irbid.gov.jo/ | ||
Johfiyah (or Johfiyeh), Juhfiyah (or Juhfiyeh) (Arabic: جُحفية) is a historical and archaeological village in northern Jordan, located 80 kilometers north of the capital Amman, about 7.5 km southwest of the city Irbid (Araballa). Its estimated population is 4000, and the major family (tribes or clans) is Talafha (Telfah).
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Johfiyeh is located about 80 km to the north of the Jordanian capital Amman 7.5 km south-west Irbid. It is part of the Horan plains which extend from southern Syria to the north of Jordan. From Johfieh, one can see the Jordanian, Syrian and Palestinian triangle of borders. In winter, Mount Hermon, which is located in Lebanon can be seen clearly.
Johfiyeh lies on a plateau elevated around 750 to 793 meters above sea level. The decline of the hills gradually hand Johfiyeh in a horizontal line that stretches to less than one kilometer to Horan, which lies at about 400 meters above sea level . Both the western and southern slopes of the hills suffer from soil erosion as a result of rainfall, which overtime led to the loss of vegetation in these areas except for some shrubs and wild herbs found standing between the cracks in the rocks. Among these herbs is thyme and buckthorn. The case is different when heading east, where the plateau begins to become less steppy and the layer of soil is thicker, dark red and fertile. This soil is often mixed with ashes of ancient ovens which are the remains of civilizations that have followed on in the area.
In the Western side, Wadi "Valley" Al-Joroon is the natural separation between Deir Yousef and Johfiyeh, it separates it from Al-Mazar also. From the north it is the natural Wadi Al-Ghafar which separates Johfiyeh from Irbid.
The small village Johfiyah has been thriving from the Stone Age until the Ottoman Empire, it was one of the largest urban and population centers until the advent of the ten Romanian fortified cities Decapolis in the Roman era. It is believed that most of its historic ruins and buildings collapsed after the quake, which hit the region in 747 AD and the earthquakes that followed
Johfiyah strategically located on a hill overseeing the mountainous plains Horan, overlooking the Golan Heights and Mount Hermon and the Lake of Tiberias, and overlooking the beginning of the mountains of Ajloun to the south. is what gave it its importance through the ages.
"Jehvip" originated in the Stone Age, as evidenced by surveys and archaeological discoveries. It flourished in the Iron Age and the Bronze Age as evidenced by late artifacts found in the Tell Johfiyeh. Johfiyeh is found in Greek inscriptions, as well as remains of marble and pottery belonging to the Hellenistic era and the beginning of the Roman era, which indicates the prosperity of it during that era.
It continued prosperous and was one of the Romanian colonies as evidenced by the archeological foundings like sculptures, coins and pottery found in the site of Tell Johfiyeh.
Johfieh is believed to have been a shelter, during the period of the Byzantines, for those who had converted to Christianity. This is clear from the monuments like the Byzantian church, which dates back to the sixth century AD, besides the distinctive floor mosaic color and the remnants of the lime. This not mentioning the Byzantine cemetery that extends from the western site of the ancient church until "Karm-At'toot" berries garden to the South of the current Othman Ibn Affan mosque.
During the Umayyad Caliphate, Johfiyeh was of great importance for the rulers, for it is believed that the Umayyad rulers were visiting Johfiyeh for hunting and to enjoy the beauty of nature. A lot of glassware and pottery belonging to the Umayyad era has been found.
Johfiyeh began to lose its importance after transferring center of the Islamic caliphate to Baghdad, as most towns in the Sham /Syrian area.
However, Johfiyeh is mentioned in the Ottoman tax records, which means it continued to be inhabitated and cultivated during that time and up till today.
The people of Johfiye mainly depend on cultivating their lands with wheat, barley,beans,chickpeas and occasionally corn and sesame. Johfiyeh is well-known for cultivating tomatoes, okra, wild cucumber (Faggos), zucchini and pumpkins. All depend on rain for irrigation. Some Fig trees and olive trees besides the famous cactus are another natural support for income of Johfiyeh. A high percentage of the young generation (born after 1965) have gained higher education at university levels and are employed in different governmental institutions. Many are employed in the army as well.