Located at the site of Dharbat Ali, there is something mystifying about Khadraafi. The last Omani village right at the border of Yemen, this beautiful location overlooks the Arabian Sea bordered on the northern side by Jabal Sarfait. It is the only village in the Wilayat of Dhalkout with the largest population density. The village is consists of a number of neighbourhoods like Hamoot, Joot Adhar, Firaq and Deem.
Sheikh Salem Raafit, Deputy Wali of Dhalkout in Khadraafi, said that the village is distinguished by its unique strategic location that overlooks beautiful views of the Arabian Sea, making it a tourist destination for many visitors from inside and outside the Sultanate.
He added that in the Khareef season, beautiful clouds form on the Sarfait mountains, which gives it a brilliant splendour and a wonderful view, and attracts many visitors and enthusiasts of art and photography.
He explained that Khadraafi includes many freshwater springs such as Ain Deem, Ain Dhablil, Ain Sarfait, Ain Khadrafi, Ain Quhoud, Akoub, Farqnout and Ain Baal Oud and Hailuf.
It has many ancient caves that in the past were used by inhabitants as shelters for their animals to avoid rain, wind and the cold. These caves include Dhirbet, Husam, Dharoot, Menaaramat, Shirchiti, Heithil, and Baramthat cave — all large caves that can accommodate dozens of families.
He pointed out that many families still have their old houses made of tree trunks and grass and mixed with a beautiful Dhofari heritage reminiscent of the ancient houses their houses lived on before the blessed renaissance. These houses receive visitors, researchers and discovery enthusiasts. The area is fenced with Al Kadi trees to protect them from grazing animals.
Regarding the most important commercial activities for the residents of Khadarafi, the wali explained that the residents are like other residents of the Dhofar who practice agricultural and animal grazing, as they also pay great attention to seasonal agriculture in the Khareef season like corn and cowpea, which is locally called “al dajar”. The crops have a big market at the end of December every year, as the crops of Khadrafi are known for their big size and good quality.
He added that Khadraafi is distinguished by its beautiful pastures and the diversity of its plants, which is why natural mountain honey becomes a source of income for many people in the area. They harvest honey from natural mountain apiaries, whether from the bellies of caves and valleys or from apiaries hanging on trees, and the natural honey season always begins after the end of October.
The Wali said that the wilayat has dramatically changed and developed compared to what it was before. Today, all neighbouring villages are connected by paved roads. The area also now enjoys water lines and internal lighting for residential neighbourhoods and public streets as well as schools to serve the other neighbourhoods, and it is equipped with all the necessary educational supplies.
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