Mazraat es-Siyad

Mazraat es-Siyad
مزرعة السياد
Mazraat es-Siyad
Location in Lebanon
Coordinates: 34°6′15″N 35°51′35″E / 34.10417°N 35.85972°E / 34.10417; 35.85972Coordinates: 34°6′15″N 35°51′35″E / 34.10417°N 35.85972°E / 34.10417; 35.85972
Country  Lebanon
Governorate Mount Lebanon
District Jbeil
Government
  Mayor Robert Tony Gharios
Area
  Total 6.65 km2 (2.57 sq mi)
Highest elevation 1,250 m (4,100 ft)
Time zone UTC+2 (EET)
  Summer (DST) UTC+3 (EEST)

Mazraat es-Siyad (also transliterated Mazraet es-Siyed; Arabic: مزرعة السياد pronounced [Mazraʿat Assiyad]) is a small town in the highlands of the Jbeil District in the Mount Lebanon Governorate, Lebanon. The town is 58 kilometres (36 mi) away from Beirut and stands at an elevation of 1,250 meters above sea level.[1]

History

Mazraat es-Siyad translates as "grange of the masters" in Arabic. It is named after the Shia siyyad (masters) of the al-Husseini family whose ancestor, Sayyed Hussein al-Husseini, was the first person to reside in the area after he restored an ancient monastery. The monastery was bestowed to him by Sheikh Nawfal Ibrahim al-Khoury during the Mamluk era (13th–15th centuries).[1]

Geography

Mazraat es-Siyyad is located in the Jbeil District in the Mount Lebanon Governorate. It is 58 kilometers north of the capital Beirut. It spans an area of 6.65 square kilometres (2.57 sq mi) and stands at an altitude of 1,250 meters above sea level. The municipal area of Mazraat es-Siyad includes the hamlets of Abboud, Mazraat er-Rmeileh, Sharbineh and Bolhos.[1]

Demographics

According to the Lebanese resource center, Localiban, Mazraat es-Siyad's inhabitants are mostly Maronite Christians, with a small Shia Muslim minority.[1] However, according to NOW News, the inhabitants are mostly Shia Muslims.[2] The population lives in a total of 220 houses in the town. There were 1,250 voters from Mazraat es-Siyad registered in 2005. The largest families in order of size according to the 2005 election records are al-Husseini, Karkaba, Bou-Gharios, Abi-Acar, Obeid, Gharios, Zaarour, Barakat, Bou-Salman, Karam, Ziadé and El-Khoury. Other families include Salemé, Oueiss, Medawar, Maatouk, Bou-Yazbek and Aouad.[1]

Government

Mazraat es-Siyad municipality was established in 2004.[3] The municipal council currently has twelve members.[1] As of 2005, it was presided over by Daniel Gharios. As of 2010, it was headed by Robert Tony Gharios. In addition to the municipal council, Mazraat es-Siyad has a three-member mayoral council headed by a mukhtar (headman), who was Gerges Naja Obeid in 2005.[1]

Economy

Agriculture, namely pomology is the main economic activity in the Jbeil highlands. Mazraet es-Siyad has many natural water sources, fertile soil and arable land. Residents also depend on permanent jobs, as there are 15 small commercial and industrial companies, in addition to two hotels, the Shangri-La and the Monte Carlo.[1]

Landmarks

Religious buildings

Saint Abdas and Our Lady churches
  • Mar Abda (Saint Abdas) Church founded by Gharios family in 1708 and greatly expanded in later centuries.
  • Mazra’at As-Siyyad Mosque which was built in line with a decision by Mutasarrıf Wasa Pasha (ruled 1883-1892).
  • Saydet an-Najat (Our Lady of Salvation) Church.

Culture

Festivities

Mazraat es-Siyad celebrates the Feast of the Lady of Salvation (Saydet an-Najat) on 8 September and Saint Abdas on 31 August with traditional dinners and festivities.[1]

Notable residents

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Localiban (15 June 2015). "Mazraat Es Siyad". Localiban, Administrative Divisions of Lebanon. Data Center on Local Development in Lebanon. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  2. "Districts in Depth: Jbeil". NOW News. 2009-05-28. Retrieved 2016-02-12.
  3. Jbeil Files staff (29 June 2011). "نبذة تاريخية عن نشأة البلديات في قضاء جبيل". تاريخ جبيل (in Arabic). Jbeil Files. Archived from the original on 26 September 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  4. القصيفي, ايلي (7 September 2012). "قرطبـا تتقـن لعبـة الجمـال" (in Arabic). Assafir. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.