Zgharta
Encyclopedia
Zgharta, or Zghorta is a large town in North Lebanon
, with an estimated population of around 70,000.
Zgharta is about 150 metres above sea level and lies between the rivers of Jouit and Rashein. It is 23 kilometres from Ehden, 7 kilometres from the coastal city of Tripoli
, 91 kilometres from the capital of Lebanon, Beirut
, and 82 kilometres from the nearest Syrian city, Tartous
. Its history and people are closely associated with the village of Ehden. Most of the citizens of Zgharta have houses in Ehden, too. Where they spend the summer.
It is the seat of Zgharta District
(Qadaa' Zgharta). Zgharta is closely related to the mountain town of Ehden
, essentially sharing the same population. Each summer, most Zghartawis move to their summer dwelling in Ehden
; this is reversed in winter when Ehden
is practically deserted. Zghartawis speak the Lebanese
dialect with a distinctive accent, the original Syriac accent applied on Arabic language. Syriac was taught in local schools till the mid 1900s.
It produced two Presidents of Lebanon: Suleiman Frangieh
and Rene Moawad
, and many prominent politicians: Hamid Frangieh, Simon El Douaihy, Suleiman Frangieh, Jr (actual MP), Nayla Moawad
, Estephan El Douaihy (actual MP), Salim Karam
(actual MP), Tony Frangieh
and many others. Ehden also produced at least four patriarchs of the Maronite church (Estephan El Douaihy
, Jeremiah of Amshit El Douaihy, George Omaira El Douaihy, John Makhlouf El Douaihy) and an Ottoman era nationalist leader (Youssef Karam
) who led a rebellion against Turkish rule. Political power in Zgharta district is dominated by a few rival families from the town: the El Douaihy, Karam
, Frangieh
and Mouawad.
Many historians agree that the name Zgharta has been derived from the Aramaic term "zaghar" meaning fortress and in Syriac, the term "Zegharteh" means barricades.
Traditionally, agriculture was a large portion of the local economy, with olives grown for olive-oil around Zgharta and apple orchards around Ehden. Recently, the service and manufacturing sectors have seen significant growth.
The story of that beginning is recorded in a manuscript in the Syriac language, which belonged to Romanos Afandi Yammine son of Father George Yammine and is now held by his grandson Youssef Boutros Romanos Yammine. It describes how people of Ehden had acquired “the farmland of Zgharta”:
On the eve of the 24th of January 1515, Al-Ghazali, Governor of Damascus along with Sannan Pasha, Minister of Sultan Salim, had reached Ehden travelling along the route of Damascus-Beqa Valley-Dahr al-Kadib-the cedars. They were transporting funds to Sultan Salim who was in Egypt. They were welcomed as guests by Sheik Iskandar son of Ehden’s leader, whilst other members of their travelling entourage were guests of the people of Ehden. Heavy snow falls and extremely freezing conditions lasted two full days prompting them to stay five days in Ehden where Sheikh Iskandar and Bishop of Ehden Kiriakos El Douaihy provided for their guests great hospitality, generosity and kindness. Responding to a request by their guests, the people of Ehden endeavoured to clear the heavy snow off the road as far as Hayrouna valley overlooking the coast, accompanying their guests to safety where they made their farewells to them with fitting accolades”.
In April 1516, Bishop El Douaihy and Sheik Iskandar received a letter from Al-Ghazali, saying on being told by his minister, Sannan Pasha of their and peoples hospitality and assistance, Sultan Salim asked that he rewarded them which he promised the Sultan he would. On his return to Damascus, Al-Ghazali invited the people of Edhen to meet him in Tripoli. At the request of Sheikh Iskander he agreed to provide the people with a place to live away from the harsh winter conditions, which they faced in Ehden. Al-Ghazali readily agreed to this request. Accompanied by his officials, Sheikh Iskandar went with Bishop El Douaihy to choose a suitable place in the Al-Zawiyi region. They chose a derelict farm, containing a few demolished houses and a tower in the middle, situated between the rivers Joueit and Rashein. Al-Ghazali, on the return of his officials with the measurements of the site, promised to obtain a “Shahani firman” (decree) from Sultan Salim whereby ownership of the land would pass to the people of Ehden.
Some eight months later, in 1517, the “Shahani firman” was granted, but it was addressed to Sheikh Iskandar. Having collected the firman in Damascus and returning to Ehde,n the people there were aggrieved that the firman was addressed solely to Sheikh Iskandar, fearing that he and his relations could claim sole ownership. Bishop El Douaihy, representing the people, put this to Sheikh Iskandar and as a result he swore at the Mar Mama church that the given land known as “ Zgharta would be distributed equally between the people of Ehden”.
In the next century a visitor to Zgharta recorded
“Zgharta is strictly a Maronite town. It represents a horrific nightmare for its enemy. Its youth is dressed in traditional clothing; white shirts decorated with yellow stitched embroidery, strongly tied “sherwal” pants along with long boots and topped by headband reflecting enormous heroism. Zgharta is a small village surrounded by an enclosure, and has a fortress beside the church of Virgin Mary. Zgharta used to be a drawn line between danger and worship, situated between Tripoli and the mountain. It would receive initial attacking strikes, then reply by returning those strikes, hitting the hearts of their enemy. Its people have therefore been renowned and recognized as excellent fighters” 1602 Father Ghodar, Jesuit Priest.
Another later visitor in 1831 records that “From Tripoli I left for Zgharta, which is two hours away. Its land is full of olive, mulberry, vines, apricot and lemon trees”
The town of Zgharta was divided into five sectors in 1932: Saydeh Sharki (the area to the east side of Notre-Dame of Zgharta church), Saydeh Gherbi (west of the Church), Slayeb Shemali (northern side of the crossroads), Slayeb Janoubi (southern side of the crossroads) and Maaser . To be a citizen of Zgharta, you have to be registered in one of these five sectors.
The only exemption to this rule occurred in 1949, when Sir George Choueifaty was unable to relocate his home of Billa. He was welcomed into Zgharta with open arms, by current President Nishesh Elias.
North Lebanon
North Lebanon may refer to:*North Lebanon Township, Pennsylvania*North Governorate, Lebanon...
, with an estimated population of around 70,000.
Zgharta is about 150 metres above sea level and lies between the rivers of Jouit and Rashein. It is 23 kilometres from Ehden, 7 kilometres from the coastal city of Tripoli
Tripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...
, 91 kilometres from the capital of Lebanon, Beirut
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
, and 82 kilometres from the nearest Syrian city, Tartous
Tartous
Tartus is a city on the Mediterranean coast of Syria. Tartus is the second largest port city in Syria , and the largest city in Tartus Governorate. The population size is 98,000 .- Geography and climate :...
. Its history and people are closely associated with the village of Ehden. Most of the citizens of Zgharta have houses in Ehden, too. Where they spend the summer.
It is the seat of Zgharta District
Zgharta District
Zgharta District is a district of the North Governorate, Lebanon.The administrative center is the town of Zgharta. The district has 57 populated areas with 30 municipalities covering 37 villages. Some areas share the same municipality such as Ehden/Zgharta, Kfarsghab/Morh Kfarsghab or...
(Qadaa' Zgharta). Zgharta is closely related to the mountain town of Ehden
Ehden
Ehden is a mountainous town situated in the heart of the northern mountains of Lebanon and on the southwestern slopes of Mount Makmal and Kornet el Sawda, the highest peak in Lebanon...
, essentially sharing the same population. Each summer, most Zghartawis move to their summer dwelling in Ehden
Ehden
Ehden is a mountainous town situated in the heart of the northern mountains of Lebanon and on the southwestern slopes of Mount Makmal and Kornet el Sawda, the highest peak in Lebanon...
; this is reversed in winter when Ehden
Ehden
Ehden is a mountainous town situated in the heart of the northern mountains of Lebanon and on the southwestern slopes of Mount Makmal and Kornet el Sawda, the highest peak in Lebanon...
is practically deserted. Zghartawis speak the Lebanese
Lebanese Arabic
Lebanese or Lebanese Arabic is a variety of Levantine Arabic, indigenous to and spoken primarily in Lebanon, with significant linguistic influences borrowed from other Middle Eastern and European languages, and is in some ways unique from other varieties of Arabic...
dialect with a distinctive accent, the original Syriac accent applied on Arabic language. Syriac was taught in local schools till the mid 1900s.
It produced two Presidents of Lebanon: Suleiman Frangieh
Suleiman Frangieh
Suleiman Kabalan Frangieh, last name also spelled Frangié, Franjieh, or Franjiyeh , was President of Lebanon from 1970 to 1976...
and Rene Moawad
René Moawad
René Moawad was President of Lebanon for 17 days in 1989, from the 5th to the 22nd of November, when he was assassinated by unknowns. Syria accused Michel Aoun of the assassination....
, and many prominent politicians: Hamid Frangieh, Simon El Douaihy, Suleiman Frangieh, Jr (actual MP), Nayla Moawad
Nayla Moawad
Nayla Moawad is a Lebanese politician. Outside of Lebanon, she is best known as the widow of former President René Moawad, who was assassinated on 22 November 1989. Within Lebanon, she is a high-profile politician in her own right, having served as a member of the National Assembly since 1991...
, Estephan El Douaihy (actual MP), Salim Karam
Salim Bey Karam
Salim Bey Karam is a minister of state in Lebanese government leading by Najib Mikati.He was staunchly opposed to the Syrian occupation of Lebanon in the 1990s; however, today with the withdrawal of Syrian Armies from Lebanon he supports equal bi-lateral relations with Syria with the strict...
(actual MP), Tony Frangieh
Tony Frangieh
Antoine Frangieh was a Lebanese politician and militia leader during the early years of the Lebanese Civil War.- Education and early political career :...
and many others. Ehden also produced at least four patriarchs of the Maronite church (Estephan El Douaihy
Estephan El Douaihy
Patriarch Estephan II Boutros El Douaihy was born in Ehden, Lebanon on August 2, 1630. He was the Patriarch of the Maronite Church from 1670 to 1704...
, Jeremiah of Amshit El Douaihy, George Omaira El Douaihy, John Makhlouf El Douaihy) and an Ottoman era nationalist leader (Youssef Karam
Youssef Karam
Youssef Beyk Karam , was a Lebanese nationalist leader who led the nationalist effort against the Ottoman Empire occupation.-The Karam family:...
) who led a rebellion against Turkish rule. Political power in Zgharta district is dominated by a few rival families from the town: the El Douaihy, Karam
Youssef Karam
Youssef Beyk Karam , was a Lebanese nationalist leader who led the nationalist effort against the Ottoman Empire occupation.-The Karam family:...
, Frangieh
Frangieh
Frangieh, also spelled Frangié, Franjieh, or Franjiyeh are a prominent Lebanese family.*Bassam Frangieh scholar of contemporary Arabic literature and culture. Distant relative of the politicians...
and Mouawad.
Many historians agree that the name Zgharta has been derived from the Aramaic term "zaghar" meaning fortress and in Syriac, the term "Zegharteh" means barricades.
Traditionally, agriculture was a large portion of the local economy, with olives grown for olive-oil around Zgharta and apple orchards around Ehden. Recently, the service and manufacturing sectors have seen significant growth.
Origin of the name
Various explanations have been given as to the meaning of Zgharta. The majority are of the opinion that it relates to meanings relating to fortresses, citadels, barricades and the like. One writer has suggested that it derived from the Aramaic word “zaghar” meaning the fortress or alternatively from the syriac word “zeghartay” meaning the barricades.The Creation of Zgharta
There is some evidence that the area of Zgharta was inhabited in 200 BC and that in the 2nd and 3rd centuries there were already fortifications. Its present day existence and its close association with the village of Ehden began in the 16th century.The story of that beginning is recorded in a manuscript in the Syriac language, which belonged to Romanos Afandi Yammine son of Father George Yammine and is now held by his grandson Youssef Boutros Romanos Yammine. It describes how people of Ehden had acquired “the farmland of Zgharta”:
On the eve of the 24th of January 1515, Al-Ghazali, Governor of Damascus along with Sannan Pasha, Minister of Sultan Salim, had reached Ehden travelling along the route of Damascus-Beqa Valley-Dahr al-Kadib-the cedars. They were transporting funds to Sultan Salim who was in Egypt. They were welcomed as guests by Sheik Iskandar son of Ehden’s leader, whilst other members of their travelling entourage were guests of the people of Ehden. Heavy snow falls and extremely freezing conditions lasted two full days prompting them to stay five days in Ehden where Sheikh Iskandar and Bishop of Ehden Kiriakos El Douaihy provided for their guests great hospitality, generosity and kindness. Responding to a request by their guests, the people of Ehden endeavoured to clear the heavy snow off the road as far as Hayrouna valley overlooking the coast, accompanying their guests to safety where they made their farewells to them with fitting accolades”.
In April 1516, Bishop El Douaihy and Sheik Iskandar received a letter from Al-Ghazali, saying on being told by his minister, Sannan Pasha of their and peoples hospitality and assistance, Sultan Salim asked that he rewarded them which he promised the Sultan he would. On his return to Damascus, Al-Ghazali invited the people of Edhen to meet him in Tripoli. At the request of Sheikh Iskander he agreed to provide the people with a place to live away from the harsh winter conditions, which they faced in Ehden. Al-Ghazali readily agreed to this request. Accompanied by his officials, Sheikh Iskandar went with Bishop El Douaihy to choose a suitable place in the Al-Zawiyi region. They chose a derelict farm, containing a few demolished houses and a tower in the middle, situated between the rivers Joueit and Rashein. Al-Ghazali, on the return of his officials with the measurements of the site, promised to obtain a “Shahani firman” (decree) from Sultan Salim whereby ownership of the land would pass to the people of Ehden.
Some eight months later, in 1517, the “Shahani firman” was granted, but it was addressed to Sheikh Iskandar. Having collected the firman in Damascus and returning to Ehde,n the people there were aggrieved that the firman was addressed solely to Sheikh Iskandar, fearing that he and his relations could claim sole ownership. Bishop El Douaihy, representing the people, put this to Sheikh Iskandar and as a result he swore at the Mar Mama church that the given land known as “ Zgharta would be distributed equally between the people of Ehden”.
In the next century a visitor to Zgharta recorded
“Zgharta is strictly a Maronite town. It represents a horrific nightmare for its enemy. Its youth is dressed in traditional clothing; white shirts decorated with yellow stitched embroidery, strongly tied “sherwal” pants along with long boots and topped by headband reflecting enormous heroism. Zgharta is a small village surrounded by an enclosure, and has a fortress beside the church of Virgin Mary. Zgharta used to be a drawn line between danger and worship, situated between Tripoli and the mountain. It would receive initial attacking strikes, then reply by returning those strikes, hitting the hearts of their enemy. Its people have therefore been renowned and recognized as excellent fighters” 1602 Father Ghodar, Jesuit Priest.
Another later visitor in 1831 records that “From Tripoli I left for Zgharta, which is two hours away. Its land is full of olive, mulberry, vines, apricot and lemon trees”
The town of Zgharta was divided into five sectors in 1932: Saydeh Sharki (the area to the east side of Notre-Dame of Zgharta church), Saydeh Gherbi (west of the Church), Slayeb Shemali (northern side of the crossroads), Slayeb Janoubi (southern side of the crossroads) and Maaser . To be a citizen of Zgharta, you have to be registered in one of these five sectors.
The only exemption to this rule occurred in 1949, when Sir George Choueifaty was unable to relocate his home of Billa. He was welcomed into Zgharta with open arms, by current President Nishesh Elias.
Families
- Al Kartabany
- Aam
- Abchi
- Abdallah
- Acheh
- Ahel/Ahal/Abouzaid
- Akle
- Allam
- Antar
- Ayub
- Ayrout
- Azizi
- Bassim
- Batour
- Bayeh
- Bou Haroun
- Bou Daher
- Boudib
- Chain
- Chedrawi
- Dannaoui
- Dahdah
- Diab
- Doueihi
- Elachi
- El Douaihy
- Farchakh
- Frangieh
- Fenianos
- Geitani/Gittani/Gittany/George
- Hage
- Halabi
- Harbieh
- Ishak
- Jreige
- KaramYoussef KaramYoussef Beyk Karam , was a Lebanese nationalist leader who led the nationalist effort against the Ottoman Empire occupation.-The Karam family:...
- Kaadou(in America "kaddo")
- Kareh
- Khawaja
- Khazen
- Kanan
- Lebien
- Maarrawi
- Makary
- Makhlouf
- Maksisi
- Milla
- Moawad
- Moujalli
- Naoum
- Nassif
- Ndayra
- Rizk
- Rouhban
- Saroufim
- Set
- Tabar
- Tayoun
- Toulani
- Yacoub
- Yammine
- Zaatini
- Zahuita
- Zakhia
- Zalloua
External links
- Zgharta History
- http://zgharta.com
- http://zgharta.gov.lb
- http://www.zgharta-ehden.org/
- http://www.horshehden.org/
- http://douaihy.org/
- http://www.caza-zgharta.com/