The Culture of Shammakh Village in South Jordan

Saad Al Tuwaisi (Jordan) 

Mansur Al Shuqayrat (Jordan)

This research paper discusses some of the crafts that have been largely abandoned by village craftsmen; these crafts will be of cultural and artistic value if they are promoted as part of tourism marketing for the areas in which they were discovered, especially given the popularity of environmental tourism.

 

As is the case with traditional houses, traditional Jordanian crafts reflect Jordan’s recent history and, therefore, they merit as much attention from scholars and the public as historical sites. Traditional crafts and the rural locations in which they are made should be preserved as part of Jordanian heritage.

The purpose of this paper is to draw researchers’ attention to what remains of the civilization of Jordanians’ ancestors and to provide valuable historical information for all inhabitants and visitors to Jordan’s villages.

In order to implement local laws pertaining to the conservation of heritage, and to apply international agreements related to the restoration of cultural property, we must identify, classify, and document antiquities. Unless they are officially identified, it can be difficult to recognize antiquities and to avoid waste, theft, smuggling and loss.

The official documentation of antiquities will also help in the recovery of those that have been transformed or smuggled. All antiquities must be identified and registered in the Register of National Heritage.

It has been said that there is no history without documentation, and our heritage and traditions will be lost unless they are documented.

The paper includes the following recommendations:

Raise citizens’ awareness of heritage sites

Introduce binding legislature with regards to the preservation of heritage

Publish details about the location, history and inhabitants of heritage buildings to foster a relationship between the current generation and their ancestors

Publish and distribute pamphlets on heritage, dedicate pages to heritage in the daily press and weekly magazines, broadcast heritage programs on television and radio and make references to heritage in children>s programs

Emphasize the public’s role in preserving heritage and its values and the fact that this serves the public good, and encourage public organizations and government departments to pay attention to heritage as a form of national treasure that all public and official parties are responsible for protecting. There should also be public initiatives to protect, defend, and promote heritage, such as the national non-governmental organizations that are part of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).

Circulate heritage legislation in various government and public institutions and private organizations across the nation so that citizens know their rights and duties in this regard

Encourage citizens to cooperate with the relevant authorities to protect heritage through the identification of antiquities and historical sites and to discourage smuggling, so that it is easier for the relevant authorities to preserve antiquities

Engage the interest of people in villages, cities and countries by emphasizing the importance of their heritage and historical monuments. Even if all heritage has a common origin, we must not neglect the diversity of forms of heritage, and the individual’s right to preserve that which represents his or her village, town or city.