Jaba’ AND THE POINTS OF INTEREST
Jaba’ is a Palestinian town located 10 km northeast of Jerusalem in the central West Bank with a population of 3,000. It has not to be confused with the homonymous village in the south of Jenin.
Jaba’ is in the middle of a territory that includes not only the village but also four tribes of Bedouins and the Qalandia refugee camp.
Visitors, with the assistance of the local guide, will experience the unique culture of the place and taste the food of the village as shared by the true source! Guests will also meet with the residents in the camps and hear their narratives and prospects about the different aspects of Palestine.
The Main Points Of Interest
THE ROMAN TOWER
The “Roman Tower” overlooks the village from the high hill, opening a beautiful landscape at 360°. The tower was built during the Crusaders period (1100 AC). In ancient times, there wqs a tunnel under the tower where citizens used to hide in case of an attack.
The local guide will illustrate the adventurous history of the Crusades and their role in ancient Palestine.
THE OLD VILLAGE ON TOP OF THE HILL
PYALARA HOUSE
The core of the old village was built around the house of the former chief of the village on top of the hill. This was possibly because only the chief had a radio set in those times, so the people would gather outside the house under a window to listen to the news, music, and entertainment.
Initially, this house was planned (around 1890) with only one floor level, but another level was then added (in the 1930s). The building currently hosts PYALARA (Palestinian Youth Association for Leadership and Rights Activation).
Inside the basement, it is still possible to see Roman era traces. You can also find the remains of the ancient olive mill, and an oven that was used by the entire village to bake the bread; the main service of the old village.
GLASS FACTORY
Inside the village, not far from the old town, is a glass factory. Here you can see the stages of creating glass products made from glass tubes.
A showroom of the glass factory will soon be available in one of the restored houses (the information center).
Visits open upon reservation. Call one day in advance.
Mohammed Faraj Twam
?+970-592107771
?+970-526823239
? +970-598445280
THE ANTIQUE MOSQUE
The mosque, built on the remains of a Christian church, was restored many times and is still operating and witnessing the continuation of the faith of a community almost totally Islamic.
JABA’ WOMEN ASSOCIATION
The Jaba’ Women Association, under the lead of its president Siham Bisharat (Umm Mu’taz), helps the women of the village to develop their skills in a wide range of handwork and crafts.
The women can teach visitors how to create their simplest handcrafts such as embroidery, as well as food preparation such as making dairy products, pickles, olives, jams – all of are also on sale. When forewarned they can not only teach but also offer excellent Palestinian meals and sweets.
We suggest giving prior notice to
Siham Bisharat: +972 522311900
A PRECIOUS SOLUTION
NIGHT STAY
Jaba’ does not have structured hotels, hostels, guest houses or homestays, but as usual the Jaba’ Women Association solves the problem and in the best way.
The president of the Association gives visitors the honor to spend the night and also have a gastronomic dinner in her house, of course after reservation.
Contact: The Jaba’ Women Association, or call Siham Bisharat directly: +972 522311900
If the house is not available or the guests are too many, visitors can have a professional and familial welcome in Jifna at the Khouriya family homestay.
? Address: Jifna (Ramallah St). Khouriya guest house managed by
? Rawda Khouriya: +972599587476
? Issa Khouriya:+972599673817
? Email: rkhouriya@yahoo.com
STREET AND TAKEAWAY FOOD
Many shops in Jaba’ offer refreshment and food. We recommend:
?? Falafel restaurant at the small corner of the street next to Jaba’ Boys School.
??Falafel and kebab restaurant “Dallel Karshak” at the center of the village. Owner: Ali Sabiha Twam +972 527441512 Open every day from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m.
?? Jaba’ coffee shop(offering Arabic coffee, tea, herbs, and light meals) at the center of the village. It also has a pool table, cards and backgammon for those interested in playing while drinking their coffee or tea. Owner: Ahmad Twam+972 586121719 Open every day from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m
BEDOUIN COMMUNITY
The meeting with the Bedouins is organized by the local guide. It is a precious opportunity to know the roots of the old tribal groups in Palestine and the present status and expression of their culture.
The Bedouins, present in large zones of the Middle East and Northern Africa, are composed by different social groups. Usually nomads, they frequently abandoned their territories to start travels (even long ones) to find new more fertile lands for their animals and for their peace.
Mainly in the last century, the number of Bedouins decreased progressively as most of them were attracted to the growing cities. Constraints against open border crossings and search for new forms of income, as well as pressures by governments to control such social groups alien to the political, legal, social, sanitary, educational system of the country, have steadily reduced their numbers.
Nevertheless, nomads and Bedouins living in the cities still keep alive some of their traditions and cultural expressions. They try to maintain their independent spirit and libertarian values. Their social structure is strongly rooted on family, clan, tribe, and their systems of law are based on the honor code.
QALANDIA REFUGEE CAMP
Qalandia camp was built in 1949 to host the Palestinian refugees from West Jerusalem, Haifa, Lydd, Ramleh, and the area west of Hebron after the Nakba of 1948. During and after that catastrophe, more than 750,000 Palestinian were dispossessed and displaced from their lands. They were housed in camps in the Gaza Strip, West Bank, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan. They continue to live in refugee camps up until this day and are more than five million.
The Qalandia camp has around 10,000 refugees whose numbers are on the rise yet their space diminished and overcrowded.
Visitors will get the chance to meet with some of the refugees' exponents, as organized by the local guide. This will give a hands-on experience about the challenges in refugee camps pertaining to development, employment, raising children, the cultural preservation of the original homes, the capacity to evolve amidst extreme conditions, and viewpoints about Western countries’ assistance, among others.
