Kufr Khall, , is a town in the north of Jordan, in the Jerash Governorate. The origin of its name, is from Syriackafr meaning the village or the country and from Arabickhall that means vinegar, or more generally, grape. So the words Kufr Khall stand for 'the village of grapes'. Effectively, Kufr Khall is still famous for its well-known grape production.
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 6 km², of which 4 belonging to woodland areas.
History
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 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.
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 inthe 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.
Islamic era
Kufr Khall was conquered by Islamic Armies commanded by Sharhabeel ibn Hasana 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.
Economy
Kufr Khall is famous for its olive oil, and there is a seasonal fair for the trading of this product. Other agricultural products are grapes, figs, apples and pomegranate. Several handcraft, cheese and traditional products are made also.
Social life
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 and a new mosque named Abu Bakr as- Siddiq. Two historical shrines are located in Kufr Khall.
Traditions
The traditions of Kufr Khall people are similar to the northern Jordanians. Must be mentioned: the Sbu'yyeh, the Madaleh, the Khamisyyah, important religious festivities, such Eid ul-Fitr, Eid al Adha and Al-Mawlidu N-Nabawi Sh-Sharif, have their rituals for the people of Kufr Khall.
