Before Roads, Travellers Stopped Here: How UAE's Fili Village Connected 2 Seas

2026-02-24 11:19:11

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

The village's ancient forts, falaj water channels, and farms made it the beating heart of desert trade for centuries

PUBLISHED: Wed 25 Feb 2026, 5:00 AM

By:
Ruqayya Al Qaydi

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Long before the UAE's modern cities, the desert's ancient trade routes carved paths across the sand, and at the heart of one of these vital corridors lay Fili village. More than just a rest area, Fili was a critical junction, a bustling meeting point where caravans traveling between the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Gulf would resupply, trade goods, and seek shelter under the protection of its forts.

Fili, a strategic village located in Sharjah's central region stands as a testament to the ingenuity of early Emirati life.

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For centuries, Fili was a bustling hub where the arteries of commerce converged. Its name is derived from 'falaj', the ancient irrigation system that made life in the arid region possible. This network of underground channels, with origins tracing back to the Iron or Bronze Age, tapped into water from the wadis and highlands, channeling it to sustain the communities and farms that settled there.

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While thousands of these systems once existed across the UAE, only about a hundred remain active today, making Fili's heritage even more precious.

Fortress of commerce, defence

Built between the 18th and 19th centuries, the formidable Fili Fort stood as a guardian of this vital trade nexus. It was a key part of a defensive chain of fortifications in the central region, providing security for caravans that traversed the routes.

The fort's elevated position gave it a commanding view of the precious water sources, farms, and surrounding territory, allowing it to protect the lifeblood of the community from potential threats.
Its role, however, was not purely military. The fort was a hub of economic activity, securing the trade routes and making Fili a primary station for caravans to rest, exchange goods, and stock up on water and provisions.

The structure itself reveals its defensive purpose, with features like openings in the main gate through which defenders could pour hot water, boiling oil, or heated date syrup onto attackers.

The seasonal trade in the UAE

Life and trade in Fili were dictated by the seasons, with three main caravan seasons defining the movement of goods, and crossing through Fili:

1. The Date Harvest (Darb Al Karyat): During the summer date harvest, caravans of camels, known as jamamil, were organised to transport dates.

2. The Fish Route (Darb Al Tararid): This route began in Khor Khuwaire in northern Ras Al Khaimah, where groups of four to five men would transport loads of 20-25 fish each on camels.

3. The Fuel Route (Darb Al Sakham): Throughout the year, this route saw the transport of charcoal and firewood to the major markets of Dubai and Sharjah, which were the main urban centres of the Trucial States at the time.

Fili served as a central point for all these critical routes, cementing its status as the economic and logistical heart of the region.

A renaissance of heritage

Today, Fili is being brought back to the forefront, thanks to the vision of Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. Recognising its historical value, a series of projects are underway to preserve its legacy and share its story with the world.

These initiatives include the restoration of the Fili Fort, the establishment of a traditional heritage market, the creation of a pet park, and projects that simulate the ancient caravan experience.

Crucially, the life-giving falaj systems are being restored and the farms revived, breathing new life into the very elements that first allowed the village to flourish.

Through these efforts, Fili is not just a relic of the past but a living museum, again, connecting people not just to two seas, but to the deep and resilient history of the UAE.