Ajloun, June 15 (Petra) -- Traditional farming tools continue to serve as enduring symbols of Ajloun's agricultural heritage, reflecting a long history of hard work, self-reliance and a close connection to the land that shaped rural life for generations.
Agricultural and heritage specialists say these tools represent an important chapter in the governorate's history, documenting farming practices that sustained local communities before the introduction of modern machinery and mechanized agriculture.
Director of Agriculture in Ajloun Seitan Al-Sarhan said traditional farming implements constitute a valuable agricultural and cultural legacy that reflects the nature of rural life and the evolution of farming across the governorate.
He noted that Ajloun's diverse agricultural landscape contributed to the development of a variety of tools used in plowing, cultivation and harvesting, adding that preserving this heritage helps reinforce agricultural identity and strengthen ties between communities and their land.
President of the Ajloun Farmers Union Muneeb Al-Samadi said traditional tools such as the wooden plow, threshing board, pitchfork, shovel, axe and sickle formed the foundation of agricultural production in earlier decades.
He explained that despite their simplicity, these implements enabled farming families to meet their needs and maintain agricultural productivity across different stages of cultivation and harvest.
Al-Samadi stressed the importance of documenting this agricultural legacy and passing it on to future generations as part of the governorate's cultural and farming heritage.
President of the Jordan Environment Association Mohammad Freihat said traditional farming tools were closely linked to a broader environmental system based on the sustainable use of locally available resources.
He noted that revisiting traditional agricultural practices can contribute to promoting sustainability concepts and provide valuable lessons for addressing contemporary environmental challenges.
Heritage researcher Mahmoud Al-Shuraideh described the tools as a repository of collective memory that reflects the daily realities of rural life in Ajloun.
He explained that many of the implements were crafted locally from forest wood, basalt stone and simple iron materials, demonstrating the ingenuity of local craftsmen and their ability to utilize available resources.
Al-Shuraideh called for preserving and documenting these artifacts through museums and heritage centers to ensure their protection for future generations.
Museum owner Bilal Al-Samadi said his collection includes numerous farming tools once used by local farmers and now displayed to help visitors understand traditional agricultural practices and the challenges associated with rural life in earlier decades.
Farmers Rateb Al-Qudah and Arabi Freihat recalled relying on these tools throughout their farming careers, noting that agricultural work required significant effort, patience and skill.
While acknowledging the benefits of modern agricultural technologies, they emphasized the importance of preserving knowledge of traditional farming methods and introducing younger generations to the experiences that shaped the agricultural identity of the region.
//Petra// RZ
