The old trees and names

Home to one of the oldest olive cultivation sites in the world, olive trees have been growing in Jordan for over 5,400 years. This brings with it a rich heritage that is very much loved by the Jordanian people and comes culturally and socially attached with a feeling of pride.

Trees with a Bond Just as Ancient

Just as the bond of the family brings people together so do ancient olive trees of every area. Over the decades and centuries, they came to represent legacy and tradition, while being a source of pride to those who have lived alongside them over generations. They each come with their own characteristics and qualities that set them apart from each other and give people a sense of identity in their pride in their olive tree.

Protecting The Legacy of Grandmother Trees

With the diversity of the trees themselves comes the diversity of their history and origin. Because of that, the Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture collaborated with numerous local institutions have started to safeguard these sacred trees, and stakeholders have started a project called “Grandparents’ olives,” recognizing this harvest as a treasure for the future. These “grandmother trees” have names that relate their cultural legacy to popular tourist destinations and critical agricultural sites. The intention is for these plants to be passed down through the generations.

Ten trees were named in the various Governorates of the Kingdom as follows:

1. Grandma Zaytouna Ain Sirin (Tebneh town – Irbid Governorate).
2. Grandma Zaytouna Arar (Jedita town – Irbid governorate).
3. Grandmother Zaytouna Khaled bin Al-Waleed (Aqraba town – Irbid Governorate).
4. Grandma Zaytouna Al-Noor (Umm Joza town – AlBalqa Governorate).
5. Grandma Zaytouna, Fajer of Palestine (Sawada town – Balqa governorate).
6. Grandmother Zaytouna Afra (Afra town – Irbid Governorate).
7. Grandma Al-Zaytouna Aima (Aima town – Tafila governorate).
8. Grandma Al-Zaytouna Al-Maysir (Al-Hashmiyah town – Ajloun governorate).
9. Grandma Zaytouna Famia (Jerash Governorate).
10. Grandma Zaytouna Rum (Wadi Rum – Aqaba Governorate)

A Duty To The Future

As these perennial olive trees continue to grow, some are losing their existence due to the commercialization of olive orchards away from traditional olive groves. The cultural, religious, and social heritage that those ancient trees provide only shows how important it is to preserve and care for them for future generations.

Ten trees were named in the various Governorates of the Kingdom as follows:

1. Grandma Zaytouna Ain Sirin (Tebneh town – Irbid Governorate).
2. Grandma Zaytouna Arar (Jedita town – Irbid governorate).
3. Grandmother Zaytouna Khaled bin Al-Waleed (Aqraba town – Irbid Governorate).
4. Grandma Zaytouna Al-Noor (Umm Joza town – AlBalqa Governorate).
5. Grandma Zaytouna, Fajer of Palestine (Sawada town – Balqa governorate).
6. Grandmother Zaytouna Afra (Afra town – Irbid Governorate).
7. Grandma Al-Zaytouna Aima (Aima town – Tafila governorate).
8. Grandma Al-Zaytouna Al-Maysir (Al-Hashmiyah town – Ajloun governorate).
9. Grandma Zaytouna Famia (Jerash Governorate).
10. Grandma Zaytouna Rum (Wadi Rum – Aqaba Governorate)

The old trees and names

Trees with a Bond Just as Ancient

Protecting The Legacy of Grandmother Trees

A Duty To The Future

Suggested Readings

Introducing “TAMKEEN” Service: Empowering Jordanian Olive Oil Producers for International Competition

Mahmoud Nayef Omari & Partners Co.

Jordanian Olive Oil is back at the World Olive Oil Exhibition

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