AL HAMRA: ‘That Khail’ Village is an agricultural village having an abundant oasis located to the east of the city of Al Hamra in the Governorate of Al Dakhiliyah.
It is one of the oldest villages in the wilayat and located in the southeastern part of the wilayat. The city gets its name due to its association with horse breeding. The valley in ‘That Khail’ village is rich in dense trees, with shadows and trees all year round.
This valley extends to Wadi Shama, which descends from the peaks of Al Jabal Al Sharqi and continues to the junction of the wadis in Wadi Al Khour area, known as the meeting point of Al Hamra wadis. It is known that the name of Wadi Shama means ‘to radiate water,’ as it flows constantly.
Like many of the Omani villages before the blessed Renaissance, life was difficult in the village because of the lack of basic services. But ‘That Khail’ village has witnessed numerous changes. It is a village that contains wells as a source of drinking water and shops for various food to provide for daily needs of the village.
Today and with the progress of civilisation and increasing population, the successive generations left the village and moved to many agricultural places. The population of the village is around 1,500.
Craftsmanship has been embodied in the architecture in this village, as it witnesses the importance of integrated life and similarities with the other neighbourhoods in solidity and basic services for its inhabitants.
‘That Khail’ village is composed of multi-storey houses surrounded by walls and protected by towers from all sides.
Nasser bin Ali al Khayari said in an interview to ONA that ‘That Khail’ village lacks the aflaj as a source of water for the villagers to irrigate their farms. But this did not stand in their way in rehabilitating the arable areas and dug wells, fed by the wadi that runs in the village, to replace the aflaj. He added that the village is famous in growing palms of various kinds, as well as fruits, citrus and animal feed, such as maize, corn and other grains.
He added that the villagers are keen to grow seasonal crops, such as whole grains, legumes, garlic, onions and vegetables. Farmers market their agricultural products in Al Hamra market, thus stimulating the commercial activity in the market.
Al Khayari adds that in addition to their keenness on the practice of agriculture, the villagers take care of raising cattle, such as cows, sheep, goats and others, as well as raising birds and poultry.
He added that among the professions practiced by the villagers is the growing sugar cane and its derivatives.
Yousef bin Ali al Khayari, a resident of ‘That Khail’ village, member of ‘That Khail’ Team of al Hamra Sports Cultural Club says, “Since the dawn of the blessed Renaissance, the village has been blessed with many developmental services, the most important of which are the road services linking it with other wilayats and governorates, besides electricity, telephone, Internet, municipal services, agricultural development and other governmental services.”
He added that the villagers also received healthcare services and education and they work to make it an educated village through the social and cultural ‘That Khail’ Team.
Members of the team are keen to establish many cultural, social and sport activities that are diverse and useful. The team is one of the founding teams of al Hamra Club that was established in 1978. — ONA
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