Nestled in the sand dunes of the UAE, Al Madam Ghost Village, also known as the Al Ghuraifa Village, sits vacant with cracked walls and peeling wallpapers as backdrops. Between the borders of Sharjah and Oman, this ‘Ghost Village‘ is now simply an eerie backdrop to a life that residents left behind. With sand dunes forcefully entering into the houses, winds tearing apart windows and the remnants of life, it is a buried village you must explore with friends.
There are several mysteries outlining the abandoned village. Some say that residents moved because of supernatural causes, others blame urbanisation. Here’s everything the world knows about the 12-house village.
Forgotten in the dunes of time
In 1971, the Al Madam Ghost Village was built as part of a public housing project by the United Arab Emirates. With the discovery of oil 13 years earlier, the Buried Village ultimately became home to local Bedouins (specifically, the Al Kutbi or Bani Qitab tribe) that had previously led a semi-nomadic existence. However, in the 1990s, sand dunes were swallowing the Ghost Village, and residents had moved away.
Commonly, it is believed that the harsh living conditions drove the Bedouin tribe away. Changing weather conditions, desert winds and the shifting sand dunes pushed them to leave. The long commutes to Sharjah and Dubai made the Al Madam Ghost Village inaccessible. So, it is said they moved to cities, in search of a better lifestyle and modern amenities.
Whispers of haunting tales
Behind closed doors, people whisper stories of local legends and folklore. A popular tale spun says the village was haunted by jinns. Mischievous supernatural beings, jinns or djinns are a part of Islamic and pre-Islamic Arabian lore. Creatures created from “smokeless fire”, they possess free will and cannot be seen by the human eye. Local folklore says that the jinns, or the female jinn Umm Al Duwais, drove the residents away.
Others say it was a mysterious presence and unnatural elements that haunted the Al Madam Ghost Village residents. The unsettling atmosphere and the way the sand dunes seemingly engulf the homes fuels the folklore, making it a local favourite.
What can I expect to see at the Ghost Village?
The Al Ghuraifa Village (or ‘Ghost Village’) in Al Madam comprises only of two rows of houses and a mosque. Tucked at the extreme end is the mosque with its tattered green carpet splattered with sand. Visitors will see beautiful interiors with walls painted in hues of blues, greens and yellows. Some are masterfully decorated with mosaics, and one even has a landscape stuck to its walls. And that’s why you need to trust us and keep your batteries charged and a Polaroid camera for this one.
Just off Dubai-Hatta Road (E44), no public transport connects to this ghost town. However, a taxi or a 4×4 car is always a good option. Make sure you have access to Google Maps and a vehicle open to off-roading.
His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, recently issued an order to preserve the ‘Buried Village.’ Hence, the concerned authorities have been notified to prepare the Al Ghuraifa Village for visitors and tourists. You might want to experience the eerie at the Al Madam Ghost Village, before it becomes a popular tourist attraction!
Key Information
- Distance: 60-78 kilometres from Dubai, 48-54 kilometres from Sharjah
- Price per person: Free!
- Ideal vehicle size: 4×4
- Checklist to get there: Warm clothing, power banks, water, food, a mat to sit on, enough fuel, and wind protection!
- Best time to visit: Between November to March