What Is Happening In the Ghost Village In Ras Al Khaimah?

by Alexandra Mansilla

What Is Happening In the Ghost Village In Ras Al Khaimah?

9 Jun 2024

Nestled in the south of Ras Al Khaimah, Al Jazeera Al Hamra is a small town that has become a magnet for tourists. Known as the “ghost village,” its allure lies in its mysterious atmosphere. The village was named a ghost village because it has been abandoned for many years. But who lived there, and why did they leave? Let’s delve into its history.

Before

Al Jazeera Al Hamra was founded in the late 16th century by the Za’ab tribe on lands belonging to the ruling Āl Qāsimī dynasty in Ras Al Khaimah. The locals referred to their land as the “red island” to reflect the rich color of its sands.

The Za’ab tribe’s primary occupation was pearl diving. The first written description of the tribe and Al Jazeera Al Hamra was provided by Baron von Kniphousen, director of the Dutch East India Company, in 1756:

“A great piece of land, which near Zur [Ras al-Khaimah] protrudes into the sea and which becomes an island with high tide and which therefore is called the Red Island [Jazirat al-Hamrah] by the Arabs is inhabited by a caste [tribe] who carry the name of saabs [Za'ab], who live from pearl-diving. They are numerous and have many small vessels.”

Old shop building. Photo: gordontour

However, in the 1920s, the introduction of artificial pearls caused a sharp decline in the pearl industry in the Persian Gulf. This led to the abandonment of Al Jazeera Al Hamra, with many residents moving to the capital and the Al-Za’ab area of Abu Dhabi.

What remains is an untouched traditional Emirati pearling village, perfectly preserved and frozen in time.

Now

Today, the ghost village remains a captivating attraction (some visitors come here because they believe that Al Jazeera Al Hamra is haunted), offering a unique window into the past. Its perfectly preserved structures and mysterious aura continue to draw visitors intrigued by its rich history and eerie ambiance. The village is currently undergoing restoration to preserve its historical significance.

You can visit and see attractions like the souq, the mosque (Masjid Bint Samikh), houses of pearl traders, and the fort. This year, Al Jazeera Al Hamra also hosted the Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival.

Maison Abdul Kareem, the fort, Masjid Bint Samikh. Insragram: @aljazeeraalhamra

by Alexandra Mansilla