The handicrafts of Ajloun Governorate form a rich historical and cultural heritage that reflects the identity of the local community and its deep connection to popular traditions. They embody the skills of the ancestors—skills that continue to live on in the memories of new generations despite the passage of time.
اضافة اعلان
The Director of Ajloun’s Directorate of Culture, Samer Freihat, said that handicrafts represent an essential part of the cultural heritage that distinguishes the governorate, carrying symbolic value that expresses the authenticity of the Ajlouni people and their long-standing tradition of creativity and craftsmanship.
Freihat added that the Directorate works to document this heritage through various events, exhibitions, and training workshops organized in cooperation with local associations and supporting institutions.
He explained that these efforts aim to transfer traditional skills to younger generations and revive crafts that have begun to disappear due to industrial development, emphasizing that craftsmanship is an inseparable part of Ajloun’s cultural and touristic identity.
For his part, Mohammad Al-Shara’a, founder of the Rasoun Museum of Folk Heritage, said that the museum was established to preserve both the memory of the place and its people, documenting the tools and objects once used by the ancestors in their daily lives.
He noted that the museum houses a collection of handcrafted works, including old agricultural tools, traditional textiles, and wooden and copper artifacts—all of which tell the story of the evolution of rural life.
Al-Shara’a added that these crafts represent both artistic and human value, as they are not merely professions but rather a way of life that reflects the human connection with nature and the ability to transform raw materials into beautiful, heritage-rich pieces.
Meanwhile, Kafa Al-Zghoul, owner of the Bayt Al-Mouna Al-Reifi (Rural Pantry House), said she learned the craft of weaving and wool spinning at the age of ten, when women would gather during the winter to spin and weave wool.
She explained that this craft was once a source of pride and livelihood for rural families, who relied on natural sheep’s wool and plant-based dyes for coloring threads.
Al-Zghoul stressed that preserving this craft today means preserving the memories of mothers and grandmothers, calling on relevant authorities to organize workshops that teach this authentic art to young women before it disappears.
In turn, Fahmi Freihat, a community elder from the Rajeb area, said that Ajloun’s handicrafts represent a bright aspect of Jordan’s national heritage, bearing witness to the creativity and precision that characterized the people of the mountains and villages.
He pointed out that crafts such as straw weaving, loom work, pottery, and metalwork were closely tied to daily life and social occasions, emphasizing that preserving this heritage requires broad community awareness. He also noted that involving youth and students in handicraft programs helps strengthen their sense of belonging and enhance local development and rural tourism.
Finally, writer and scholar Dr. Rifaat Al-Zghoul said that handicrafts are not merely an economic or artistic activity, but rather a visual language that expresses the philosophy of simple living and the deeply rooted national spirit of the Jordanian countryside.
He concluded that creativity in these crafts reflects the human relationship with the environment and the ability to transform daily needs into creations bearing a personal and cultural imprint. — (Petra)
