Mazraat es-Siyad

Mazraat es-Siyad (Arabic: مزرعة السياد; also transliterated Mazraet es-Siyed, Mazraet al-Siyed, pronounced [Mazraʿat Assiyad]) is a mountainous village in the highlands of the Byblos District in the Keserwan-Jbeil Governorate, Lebanon. The town is 58 kilometres (36 mi) away from Beirut, and stands at an elevation of 1,250 m (4,100 ft) above sea level.[1]

Mazraat es-Siyad
مزرعة السياد
Mazraat es-Siyad is located in Lebanon
Mazraat es-Siyad
Mazraat es-Siyad
Location in Lebanon
Coordinates: 34°6′15″N 35°51′35″E
Country Lebanon
GovernorateKeserwan-Jbeil
DistrictByblos
Government
 • MayorRobert Tony Gharios
Area
 • Total7.91 km2 (3.05 sq mi)
Highest elevation
1,250 m (4,100 ft)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)

History

The area where the town stands was known as Deir ʿaouzeh (Arabic: دير عوزة), in reference to an ancient Chrisitan monastery.[2][3]

During the Mamluk era (13th–15th century), local chieftain Sheikh Nawfal Ibrahim al-Khoury bestowed the ruins of the monastery to an ancestor of Al-Husseini family, Sayyid Hussein al-Husseini. Al-Husseini is said to be the first person to reside in the abandoned area after he had restored the monastery.[1] During the Mutasarrifate (1861–1918), the town was administratively part of the Mnaitra mudiriyah, within the kaza of Kesserwan.[4][5][6]

Geography

Mazraat es-Siyyad is located in the Byblos 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 m (4,100 ft) above sea level. The municipal area of Mazraat es-Siyad includes the hamlets of Abboud, Mazraat er-Rmeileh, Sharbineh and Bolhos.[1][7]

Etymology

Mazraat es-Siyad translates as "Grange of the Lords" from Arabic, in reference to Siyyad an attribute of the al-Husseini family. The Siyyad (Lords) are Shia Muslims recognized as descendants of the prophet Muhammad through his grandsons, Hasan and Husayn ibn Ali.[8][1][6]

The hamlet of Abboud is named after Abboud Gharios Ouais (Arabic: عبود غاريوس عويس), a forefather of the Gharios family, and Mazraat er-Rmeileh is so named after the nature of the terrain which is composed of sandstone.[6]

Demographics
Saint Abdas and Our Lady churches in 2016

The population lives in a total of 220 houses in the town. There were 1,250 voters from Mazraat es-Siyad registered in 2005.[1] The population is predominantly Maronite and Shia.[7] The largest families in order of size according to the 2014 election records are Al-Husseini, Karkaba, Gharios, Obeid, Acar, Zaarour, Barakat, Bou Salman, Karam, Ziadé, Medawar, and El-Khoury.[9][1]

Government

Mazraat es-Siyad municipality was established in 2004.[10][11] The municipal council currently has twelve members.[1] In addition to the municipal council, Mazraat es-Siyad has a three-member mayoral council headed by a mukhtar (headman).[1]

Economy

Agriculture, namely pomology is the main economic activity in the Byblos 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]

Cultural landmarks
Sites and features of Mazraet es-Siyad
Top: Ancient rock-cut vat used in wine pressing
Bottom: Walking trail bordering Iron ore-rich hillside

Mazraet es-Siyad has numerous ancient archaeological relics, such as the remains of old vernacular houses, rock cut wine presses, and historical religious buildings. The town's main sites are Mar Abda (Saint Abdas) Church, a Maronite church founded in 1708 by the Gharios family. Mar Abda was significantly expanded during later centuries. The Mazra’at As-Siyyad Mosque, a historical Shia Muslim mosque built in line with a decision by Mutasarrıf Wasa Pasha (ruled 1883–1892). Saydet an-Najat (Our Lady of Salvation), the town's second Maronite Church. The two churches are located at the opposite sides of the glen that splits the town in two.[1][7]

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. Localiban (15 June 2015). "Mazraat Es Siyad". Localiban, Administrative Divisions of Lebanon. Data Center on Local Development in Lebanon. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  2. Suwaydān, Aḥmad Maḥmūd (1988). كسروان وبلاد جبيل: بين القرنين الرابع عشر والثامن عشر من عصر المماليك إلى عصر المتصرفية - Kasruwān wa-bilād Jubayl: bayna al-qarnayn al-rābiʻ ʻashr wa-al-thāmin ashr min ʻaṣr al-mamālīk ilʹa ʻaṣr al-mutaṣarrifīyah [Keserwan and Bilad Jbeil: Between the Fourteenth and Eighteenth Centuries, from the Mamluk to the Mutasarrifiyya Era] (in Arabic). Muʾassasat Dār al-Kitāb al-Ḥadīth.
  3. "مجلة إطلالة جبيلية-ملحق تاريخي: الحلقة المنسيّة في تاريخ محافظة كسروان وجبيل (1)". مجلة إطلالة جبيلية (in Arabic). Retrieved 2023-03-20.
  4. al-Shidyaq, Tannus; al-Bustani, Butrus (1859). أخبار الأعيان في جبل لبنان [The notables' news in Mount Lebanon] (in Arabic). p. 22.
  5. Fāḍil, Wadīʻ Abī (1909). دليل لبنان لسنة ١٩٠٩ [The guide of Lebanon for the year 1909] (in Arabic). Egypt: Maṭbaʻat al-Maʻārif. p. 42.
  6. Mufarrej, Tony (2002). موسوعة قرى ومدن لبنان [Encyclopedia of villages and cities of Lebanon] (in Arabic). Vol. 20. Beirut: Nobilis. pp. 95–96.
  7. Jbeil Daily News (2023). "مزرعة السياد". www.jbeildailynews.com. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  8. Ḥunayn, Riyāḍ (1986). أسماء قرى ومدن وأماكن لبنانية في روايات شعبية - Asmāʼ qurá wa-mudun wa-amākin Lubnānīyah fī riwāyāt shaʻbīyah [Names of Lebanese villages, cities and places in popular narratives] (in Arabic). Dār Laḥd Khāṭir. p. 201.
  9. Lebanese Ministry of Interior and Municipalities (2014). "أسماء العائلات في بلدة مزرعة السياد، قضاء جبيل، محافظة جبل لبنان في لبنان". إعْرَفْ لبنان. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  10. 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.
  11. Lebanese University (2004). "انشاء بلدية في بلدة مزرعة السياد قضاء جبيل-محافظة جبل لبنان". Lebanese University Center for Research in Legal Informatics. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  12. القصيفي, ايلي (7 September 2012). "قرطبـا تتقـن لعبـة الجمـال" (in Arabic). Assafir. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
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