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Ghuraifa: A village in UAE with memories buried in sand

It consists of two rows of identical houses and a mosque at the end of the road.

The mythical Ghuraifa village is located 2km southwest of Al Madam area in Sharjah, along the road between Dubai and Hatta. It consists of two rows of identical houses and a mosque at the end of the road.
The village was deserted by its former residents of Al Kutbi tribe 20 years ago. The residents left the locale in 1999 when the government provided them with new houses in a nearby area. The government also paid financial compensation for the removal of their old homes.
Now popular as the ghost village, Ghuraifa is a tourist destination. Photography enthusiasts from all over the world go there for picturesque landscape and fashion designers are keen to capture their haute couture in the backdrop of sand dunes.

Original residents of the village say memories of their old homes remain fresh within them. Abu Khalfan Al Kutbi, a former resident of the village, said he left the village about 20 years and is now living in Al Madam city. "We have unforgettable memories of the old village because I lived there with my family when I was a little boy. The dunes surrounding the village and the railroads between the houses are a common memory between me, my brothers and the friends of the neighborhood."
"We lived in the buried village in 1980s after its construction began in the late 1970s. The homes were immune to the sand dunes during the time. Our houses were located in the direction of eastern winds, which do not stop throughout the summer months.
"With the passing of years, the quantity of sand increased and covered large areas of the village. Yet, it didn't bury them entirely and shows the resilience of these houses and their battle with the sand.
He busted the myth that the villagers abandoned the village because of jinn.
Fatima Al Ketbi, another former resident, said: "I spent the most beautiful years of my life in this village, which was characterised by calmness, away from the noise of the city streets. Most roads leading to the village schools would often get buried in sand and it was difficult for students to attend classes.
"The government built new homes for us with all facilities and we moved there. We still visit our old village, which has become a tourist destination. The walls of the houses witness us. We can still distinguish the residents' houses as we have permanent contact with them.
"We use to wake up early morning to the smell of freshly baked goodies, prepared at kitchens within the main yard. Men of the village gathered on top of the sand dunes to be served by the women and after eating and praying together, we would head home," she added.
Umm Mohammad, another resident, said: "I spent my childhood in the village and also got married there. As a child, we played hide and seek in the dunes and also a lot of time chatting and laughing.
"My grandmother used to tell us about fairy mother Umm Duwais, who hid in the dunes. She is a terrifying legend who wears lingering perfumes and walks through the streets to lure men and then finally kills them. According to my grandmother's tale, Umm Duwais feet were like those of a donkey, her hands like a pair of machetes and she had cat eyes.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com