Lebanon (in Arabic Lubnān) is a republic in Western Asia. Lebanon is located on the shore of Mediterranean sea. It has an area of 10,452 square kilometers. Lebanon has a population of 4,099,000 (2007 estimate). It is estimated that about 10 million Lebanese live outside Lebanon.

map of Lebanon

There are different theories about the origin of word Lebanon. Some say it is derived from Aramaic word "lbn" which means "white". It is believed that it is because of the snow covered Mount Lebanon (in Arabic Jabal Lubnan) which extends accross the country. Its highest peak is Qurnat as Sawda' (3,088 m).

The second theory sees the origin of the word Lebanon in Syriac which is a dialect of Middle Aramaic language. In Syriac word Lebanon could be translated as "the heart of God" ( "leb" is heart, (a)non is God).

One of main symbols of the country is the Lebanon Cedar (Cedrus libani). It grows in Western Asia (Lebanon, Syria, parts of Turkey). Its variation exists in Cyprus, Algeria and Morocco.

Lebanon Cedar

This cedar is an evergreen coniferous tree. It can reach the height of up to 40 m. Its trunk can have diameter of up to 2.5 m. The Lebanon Cedar can be seen on the Lebanese flag and coat-of-arms. There is also a legend stating that the cedar from Lebanon was used to build the King Solomon's temple.

flag of Lebanon

Lebanon is a country where the oldest, continuously populated city in the world is located. Byblos or Jbeil, as it is known today, is at least 7000 years old. Phoenicians used to believe that the city was founded by the god El.

Jbeil (Byblos)

Lebanon has both Islamic and Christian population. It has rich history and numerous traditions.

Wedding engagements are usually organized in bride's home. The groom brings lots of presents. There is a big party going on.

Lebanese wedding can last for up to three consecutive days. The most impressive is the day of Zaffeh. Nowadays this term means wedding celebration in general. The wedding starts with two parties – one in groom's home and one in bride's home. With the arrival of groom to bride's home the third party starts. There is lot of food. Everybody's dancing. The party lasts till dawn.

When the bride and groom are leaving the bride's home women gathered there give them blessings. The "Ah Weeeee-ha", and the "zalghouta" can be heard. These are joyous sounds made by people at local weddings. As sign of joy people throw petals and rice on the bride and groom.

After the wedding, the groom's family invites the bride's family for a big lunch or dinner. After that dinner, the bride's family invites them back. All in all more opportunities to have a good time.

One more wedding related detail. If the bride steps on single girl's foot it is believed that it'll bring her luck and that she's going to marry soon.

Christians in Lebanon celebrate the Christmas. As Arabic and French are the two official languages of the country you can hear local people say in Arabic "I'D Miilad Said Oua Sana Saida" or in French "Joyeux Noël". Both expressions mean "Merry Christmas".

Some two weeks before the Christmas people plant seeds (chickpeas, wheat, beans or lentils) on a piece of cotton. They water them every day. Until the Christmas the plants will grow to a height of about 15 cm. They'll used them for the manger in the nativity scene. Traditionally nativity scenes are made of brown paper. Above the nativity scene people put a star.
People in Lebanon often decorate their Christmas trees with orange peels cut into different shapes.

On the Christmas Eve people go to the Midnight Mass. Santa Claus is presenting presents to kids in church or sometimes he makes personal visits at home. Kids usually get sweets or some clothes.

On Christmas morning people visit friends and neighbours. They spend a lovely time drinking coffee or liqueurs and eating sugared almonds.

The whole family gathers for the Christmas day lunch. The lunch is usually in the home of the grandparents or the oldest son of the family.

Tabbouleh

Typical holiday dishes are turkey, roast duck, "Tabbouleh" (Lebanese salad), chicken with rice, boiled wheat ("bulghur") mixed with meat, "Baklava" (a cake made with honey and nuts) and "Bûche de Noël" (Christmas cake shaped like a log).

Baklava

When the child is born, the family prepares Meghli. Meghli is a traditional rice pudding.

The "man'oushé" or "man'oushe bi za'tar" is the most popular breakfast food of the Lebanese. It is the traditional Lebanese bread. The word man'oushé comes from "na'sh" which is term used by local bakers.

Man'oushé

Bakers put a special mixture of thyme, sesame seeds and olive oil (za’tar) on the bread. The man'oushé can have cheese topping too. Salty white ‘akkawi cheese is used for this purpose.

When describing traditional Lebanese cuisine term "mouné" (in Arabic "mana" means storing) should not be missed. Mouné (preserves) are made from both fruits (jams, marmelads, syrups) and vegetables (pickling, making paste, with olive oil).

Very popular form of meal in Lebanon is "mezze". The word mezze is derived from Turkish "meze" and Persian "maze" which means taste or snack. The mezze is a group of appetizers or small dishes which is usually accompanied with beverage like arak, ouzo, raki or wine. Typical mezze includes different salads, dips, patties and stuffed grape leaves.

Mezze also has a social importance. It is a time when people gather and discuss different topics.

People in Lebanon drink lot of coffee ("ahweh"). Some locals say that those who do not drink coffee are going to loose nationality. Coffee drank in Lebanon is mainly Arabic (Turkish) style. It is strong and often flavoured with cardamom. Some people also add few drops of orange blossom water. The Lebanese prefer their coffee very sweet.

People prepare their coffee in a long-handled coffee pot called "rakwe". The coffee is poured straight from the rakwe to demitasse. A demitasse is a small cup (from French "half cup"). Such a cup has capacity of 60-90 ml (2–3 fl oz).

In Lebanon and elsewhere in the Middle East people often drink a beverage called "Jallab". Jallab is made from dates, grape molasses and rose water. It is often served with crushed ice and pine nuts and raisins which float on its surface.

Let's now visit a Lebanese vineyard. The most popular grape varieties in Lebanon are of French origin like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Rhone varietals. Some indigenous grapes like for example Musar white exist too.

All the biggest Lebanese vineyards are located in the south of Beqaa Valley. Three most important wine producers in Lebanon are Ksara, Kefraya and Chateau Musar.

Imagine now that it is mid September. It is time of grapes picking. People of Lebanon use grapes to make Arak (Araq), wine, vinegar or grape molasses.

Arak is an alcoholic beverage made through distillation and is flavoured with anise seeds. Arak in its pure form is colourless. But it is rarely drank as such, straight. People drink it mixed with water - about 1/3 arak and 2/3 water. Some ice is also added.

glass of Arak

When mixed Arak gets milky-white colour. Why? Well, it is because anise in Arak includes an essential oil called anethole which is soluble in alcohol but not in water.

The grapes picking season is the most beautiful time of year for every vineyard owner. Parties are organized. Everyone is so happy.

Lebanese women prepare all kind of delicacies like for example Tabbouleh, Hummus, Babaghanough, stuffed vine leaves etc. "Hummus" (Houmous) is a dip or spread made from cooked, mashed chickpeas, "tahini" (a paste of ground sesame seeds), olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic. The world largest plate of hummus was prepared by 300 Lebanese chefs in the village of Al-Fanar (about 8 km east of Beirut) on the 8th May 2010. It weighted 10.5 tons. "Babaghanough" is kind of salad made of tahini with baked and after that minced eggplant, garlic and parsley.

Hummus

Festive clothes is worn. Women wear flowing skirts, shirts, long vests, veils, beautiful headdresses decorated with beads. Men wear "sherwals" (baggy shaped pants) and "labbadeh" (felt hats), colourful vests, shirts and boots.

Traditional music is performed. Musicians use musical instruments like derbake (a small drum made of clay with goat skin on its top), nay (long bamboo flute) and "mijwiz" (short double barreled flute). They perfom traditional "daloonah" tune. Daloonah also includes improvised singing.

Some men and women hold hands and start to dance. Their traditional dance is called "dabke" (dabkeh). Other people present join them by clapping their hands.

The party continues. People sing. A woman with a jug on her head appears. Others join her in kind of competition. The next of stage are the men with swords perfroming traditional swords dance.

The old man announces that the grapes juice is ready. The atmosphere reaches even higher level. There is lot of ululation. The ululation is a process of creating long, wavering, high-pitched sound by fast movement of the tongue and the uvula to show thrill, happiness. In the Middle East it is commonly performed by women.

There is a legend about how the dabke was created. In the past flat roofs of Lebanese house were covered with branches and mud. In time the top mud layer started to crack. The owner of the house put a new layer. But he needed a help to finish the job. So, he invited his neighbours to come on the roof. There they formed a line and start stomping their feet while walking. The mud layer was fixead and new dance was created. First it was known as "Al Awneh". Later it changed its name into "Daloonah" or a form of improvised singing and dancing the dabke dance.

Lebanon has something what is called Al Zajal. Al Zajal is a form of improvised poetry. Special Al Zajal parties are organized. Zajal is usually performed by a singer who makes up the songs right at the party. They are professionals. In the past people used to invite them to sing at weddings.

The Lebanese people love proverbs. Just one example - "A clear conscience shines not only in the eyes".

One of folk sports of Lebanon is "kbeich". Kbeich is two men arm-wrestling. The winner becomes quite famous in local community for his strength.

Let's continue with the Sahsouh. What is it? It is rather strange tradition. It is performed on the head of the man which has just visited his hairdresser. Other people kick back side of his head with the palm of a hand. While doing this they shout "Naeeman". Before the strike sometimes people present a special Sahsouh tune or jingle. Everyone knows it and that way has enough time to get ready for the Sahsouh.