Bdadoun
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Bdadoun | |
 |
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| Administration | |
|---|---|
| Country |  Lebanon |
| Governorate | Mount Lebanon Governorate |
| District | Aley District |
| Geography | |
| Elevation | 490 m |
Bdadoun is a small village in Mount Lebanon in Aley District (a District, is also a Quadaa, or Caza), with an estimated population of 3000. It is 490 meters above sea level and 15 kilometres from the capital Beirut. It is both a Summer holiday location as well as being habited during the Winter months. This is due to its proximity to the capital of Lebanon, Beirut. The name Bdadoun derives from the Phoenician language.
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[edit] Agriculture
The first settlers of Bdadoun came from the North Lebanon Maronite families as peasants. They found an uninviting land made of mostly rocky landscape strewn with oaks, wild figs, vines and some olive-trees. The settlers built stone terraces planted fruit trees such as apricot, almond, pear, apple, pomegranates and plum. It is the latter, that Bdadoun is mostly known for Ganarek plums (slang: Gararank. Turkish: Erik, or Can Erik. Arabic: ثَمَر أو شَجَر البَرقوق ) and holds an annual harvest festival.
[edit] Religion
The Christian Maronite parish of Bdadoun is part of the Beirut Diocese and has four churches: [1]
- Notre Dame (also know as Al Saydeh)
- St. Antoine
- St. Elie (also known as Maar Elias el Hayy)
- St. Georges (also known as Maar Jergyes)
[edit] Geography
Bdadoun is bordered by Blaybel, Houmal, Wadi Chahrour, Aaytat, Qmatiyeh and Bsous[2]. It is 490 meters above sea level and 15 kms from Beirut. [3]
[edit] Educational Institutions
- Bdadoun Public school
- Ecole Saint Elie
[edit] Arts and Entertainment
- Folklore singer Zaghloul, known mostly for his Zajal style of songs recorded in "Haflit Bdadoun".
- Bdadoun Festival for the Plum Harvest (Mahrajaen el Ganaerik). A parade day followed by a night of singing and dancing. Major Lebanese folklore singers have been guests to this festival every year.
[edit] Streets and Landmarks
- Houeir street
- Water fountain (nabeh el akhwat)
[edit] Notable Families
Families who have roots in Bdadoun are:
- Hawayek (also spelt Howayek, Hoayek, Hoyek, Hwayyik)
- Feghali (also spelt Feghaly, Fghali) [4]
- Merheb (also spelt Merib)
- Daow (also spelt Daou, Daw, Dao)
- Moubarak (also spelt Mubarak)
- Abi Khalil
- Semaan (Simon)
- Shayaa (also spelt Shaya)
- Aoun [5]
- Chamoun (also spelt Shamoun) (Arabic: شمعون, Sham'ūn)
- Murad (also spelt Mourad)
- Chidiak (also spelt Shidiak, Shedyak)
[edit] Emigration
Like most other Lebanese towns, a large proportion of people from Bdadoun emmigrated to different places around the world. There are people from Bdadoun who permanently live in the United States of America, Puerto Rico, United Kingdom, France, Australia, Mexico, Brazil, Canada, Argentina and elsewhere. The pull factors for emigration are mostly: Higher incomes, better availability of employment, better medical facilities, better education facilities and political stability.
[edit] Notable Persons
- The poet, Asaad el Feghali (aka “Blackbird of the Valley”) Today, a sculpture of him is at the entrance to the village.
- The late Honor Gebran Khalil Hoyek (1919-1991), who was 40 years in service - Mahkamet el-Jineyett - Baalbeck and detained Wissam el-Charaf from the Hight Court.
- Prof. Mr. Sabeh Najib Hoyek- Historian and Poet-(1907-1991)
- Saade I. Merheb, current Civil Registrar/Recorder of Bdadoun.
- Dr. Michel Abdelnour Hawayek, current Mayor of Bdadoun.
- The Honorable Mr. Khalil Saeed Asaad Hawayek (1892-1977), born in Bdadoun, The Grand Master of The Grand Masonic Lodge in Puerto Rico and U.S.A.
