Destination for nature lovers, and trekking enthusiasts
SUMAIL: Al A’fiya Village in Wadi Bani Rawaha of the Wilayat of Sumail, the Governorate of A’Dakhiliyah, is located under a mountainous footpath surrounded by mountains from all sides, making it an ideal destination for nature and mountainclimbing lovers.
The village is located in the southwest of the Wilayat of Sumail. It is about 25 km away from its centre. It was formerly known as Al Hama, a name derived from the familiarity with bullets at that time. The village’s name was changed into Al A’fiya for its beautiful nature that qualified it to be the first stop for tourists in the wilaya, especially expatriates. About 400 citizens live in Al A’fiya Village.
One of the most important tourist attractions in the village is Wadi Al A’ssi.
It is one of the most flowing wadis in Wadi Bani Rawaha. It forms a twin with Al Mesqah valley in its strong overflow of waters during the rains on the mountains surrounding the village.
The flooding of the valley attracts many tourists to spend a beautiful day among picturesque nature and fruit trees overlooking the sides of the valley while the water bubbling from the top of the mountains forming beautiful falls.
Old wall
It is surrounded by an old wall that has been destroyed due to climatic factors. It connects three gates. Inside it, there are a number of old houses called “Al Hujrah,” which were inhabited by the residents of the village, who numbered no more than 30 citizens.
The houses were destroyed, but their remains are still present. The village still has a tall tower that tells of the past and present of the village. Yousef bin SarhanAl Hashami, a resident of the village said: “Although the village of Al A’fiya is in mountainous area and is located under the foot of a mountain, but it is characterised by cultivation of all kinds of datepalms, citrus trees, which tops the other villages of Wadi Bani Rawaha in the cultivation of lemon, Bergamot orange and mango.
He said most villagers practice many professions, such as raising cattle, honey-bee keeping and harvesting thyme and wild berries from mountains. The products are sold in neighbouring markets.
The village is linked by mountain roads, to the village of “Al Manakhar” in the Niyabat of Al Jabal Al Akhdhar, about 6 hours of walk. It is also linked by a shortcut mountain road to the village “Hadash” in Wadi Mastal, one of the villages in the Wilayat of Nakhal. It can be reached in 4 hours on foot.