Nahf
| Nahf | |
|---|---|
| Hebrew transcription(s) | |
| • Hebrew | נַחְף |
| • ISO 259 | Náḥep |
| • Also spelled |
Nahef (official) Naḥf (unofficial) |
| Arabic transcription(s) | |
| • Arabic | نحف |
 | |
  Nahf | |
| Coordinates: 32°55′53.94″N 35°19′10.51″E / 32.9316500°N 35.3195861°ECoordinates: 32°55′53.94″N 35°19′10.51″E / 32.9316500°N 35.3195861°E | |
| District | North |
| Government | |
| • Type | Local council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6,077 dunams (6.077 km2 or 2.346 sq mi) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 7,800 |
Nahf (Arabic: نحف, Naḥf or Nahef; Hebrew: נַחְף)[1] is an Arab town in the North District Israel. It is located in between the Lower and Upper Galilee, about 23 kilometres (14 mi) east of Acre. In 2011 the town had a population of 7,800.[2]
History
The village is of considerable age, and it contains Roman and medieval remains. It was known as "Nef" in Crusader period.[3][4][5] In 1250 it was mentioned together with Beit Jenn, Jalun and other places in the neighborhood as being among the Casales belonging to the Knights of Teutonic Order.[6]
A map from 1799 by Pierre Jacotin showed the place, named as "Nafeh".[7] When Victor Guérin visited Nahf in the 1870s, he described the village as containing 400 Muslims and some Greek Orthodox families,[8] while in 1881 Nahf was described as being built of stone, containing 200 Muslims, with olives and arable land.[9]
Nahf was captured by Israel on 18 July 1948 during Operation Dekel led by the Sheva (Seventh) Brigade. Its defenders included the town's local militia as well as Arab Liberation Army volunteers. The town was left intact and most residents did not flee their homes. The population remained under Martial Law until 1966.
In and around Nahf, there are a number of archaeological remains dating from the Middle Ages, including mosaics and a cemetery. In a nearby location lies the shrines of Muslim leaders Sheik Muhammad Rabiah and Sheik Mahmud who fought against the Crusaders. The Auba cave, which dates from the time of the Assyrians is also located here.[10]
Notable structures
The largest medieval structure in the village is a roughly 10 meter long wall, made of large drafted blocks with a rubble core, which may be of Crusader origin.[3][4]
The Maqam ("Saintly-person shrine") of Shaykh Rabi is located on a steep hill above the village, surrounded by a cemetery. It is a domed rectangular building, with an entrance from the east. A deep mihrab ("Islamic prayer niche") is located inside, in the middle of the south side. By the north wall is the elongated cenotaph of Shaykh Rabi.[4]
See also
References
- ↑ Palmer, 1881, p.64, p.92
- ↑ Integrating Arabs in the Workforce, Jerusalem Post
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Pringle, 1997, p.114
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Petersen, 2002, p. 239
- ↑ Conder and Kitchener, 1881, I:255. Cited in Petersen, 2002, p. 239
- ↑ Conder and Kitchener, 1881, p.208
- ↑ Karmon, 1960, p.166, Cited in Petersen, 2002, p. 239
- ↑ Guérin, 1880, p.451 - p.452 Cited partially in Conder and Kitchener, 1881, I:255. Translation in Petersen, 2002, p. 239
- ↑ Conder and Kitchener, 1881, p.203
- ↑ Welcome To Nahf
Bibliography
- Conder, Claude Reignier and H.H. Kitchener (1881): The Survey of Western Palestine: memoirs of the topography, orography, hydrography, and archaeology. London:Committee of the Palestine Exploration Fund. vol 1
- Guérin, V. (1880): Description Géographique, Historique et Archéologique de la Palestine. Galilee, "vol. I,"
- Karmon, Y, (1960), An analysis of Jaconin's map of Palestine, IEJ (=Israel Exploration Journal), 10, pp. 155-173 and 244-153. Cited in Petersen, 2002
- Lerer, Yoav (8/6/2009): Nahf Final Report, Hadashot Arkheologiyot, no.121
- Palmer, E. H. (1881): The survey of Western Palestine: Arabic and English name lists collected during the survey by Lieutenants Conder and Kitchener, R. E. Transliterated and explained by E.H. Palmer.
- Petersen, Andrew (2002): A Gazetteer of Buildings in Muslim Palestine: Volume I (British Academy Monographs in Archaeology)
- Pringle, Denys (1997), Secular buildings in the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem: an archaeological Gazetter, Cambridge University Press
- Smithline, Howard (30/3/2005): Nahf, Hadashot Arkheologiyot, no.117
- Tepper, Yotam (16/8/2007): Nahf (East) Final Report, Hadashot Arkheologiyot, no.119
