Kahale

Kahale
الكحالة
Kehale
Kahale
Location in Lebanon
Coordinates: 33°49′19″N 35°35′15″E / 33.82194°N 35.58750°E / 33.82194; 35.58750Coordinates: 33°49′19″N 35°35′15″E / 33.82194°N 35.58750°E / 33.82194; 35.58750
Country  Lebanon
Governorate Mount Lebanon Governorate
District Aley District
Population
 • Total 13,000
Time zone UTC+2 (EST)
 • Summer (DST) +3

Kahale (Arabic: الكحالة‎), is a mountain village in the district of Aley (Caza Aley), Lebanon, 13 km from Beirut. Population estimated at 13,000 residents, all of whom are Maronite Catholic.

Etymology

Kahale is derived from Syriac and Aramaic, from kah (verb meaning breathed or respired); al or el (the name of the Caananite god El, who was considered the father of God and of mankind); and e (an ending denoting that the god El is the speaker's god)

Geography

Considering the locale and geography of the Kahale this name is suited well. A valley extends from the Sh'har west side of the Kahale into the Rjoum, eastern side of the Kahale. In this valley, the winds accelerate as if being sped along by some external supernatural will, the will of the ancient god El.

Religion

Kahale has a predominantly, if not wholly, Maronite Catholic population.

The village has three churches:

  • Mar Elias (مار الياس )
  • Our Lady (السيدة)
  • Mar Antonios (مار انطونيوس)

This in addition to Don Bosco monastery and school, and Saint Charbel Home for the elderly which is now closed.


Geography

Latitude: 33°49'18.64"N, longitude: 35°35'14.55"E, 200 to 500 m above sea level and a land size of approximately 1.96 square kilometers.

References

  • Abi Khalil, Charbel. (1997). History of the Kahale. Beirut: The Arabic Press.
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