The family’s eldest son, Salim Said Ali Al Jafaari, lives here along with five of his siblings, his parents, grandparents and several other relatives. The largest and most important room is the common living room, furnished with comfortable sofas. Two flat screen TVs hang on the walls. But the room is really only used when there are guests. If Salim and his siblings eat here, they’ll sit on the soft carpet and put their plates on the ground. The bedroom, the kitchen and other living rooms are in the back of the house. Since Salim and two of his brothers got married, the family home has become even more crowded. That’s why the building is continuously being expanded.
The Al Jafaari’s forefathers have been fishermen in Al Ashkharah for around 200 years. And Salim and his brother also often take the family’s boat, a small wooden canoe, out to sea; the ocean and harbour are only ten minutes from their front door. Their favoured catch is barracuda.