Ehden's Heritage

People of Ehden and Zghorta are the same people. They spend there Summer in Ehden at the altitude of 1500 m about the sea level; whereas they spend there Winter in Zghorta the coastal city. This people is well known by its dignity, courage, hospitality, as well as the respect towards others Some of this people has contributed in striving for the independence , and to fight the Ottoman Empire and among this people we have the philosophers, historians, writers, and presidents of Lebanon, such as Joseph Bey Karam, Sheikh Jawad Boulos, Hamid Bey Frangieh, the Maronite patriarch Stephan Douaihy, Suleiman Frangieh, Rene Mouawad, Saliba Douaihy they great painter and finally the philosopher Gabriel Sahyouni El Karami.

Joseph Bey Karam (1823-1889)

He is the son of Boutros Bey Karam the Moutasarref of Mount Lebanon, he fought the Ottoman and defeated them in more than a combat especially Bnachii combat, he had been exiled to France in order to avoid that Ottoman would slaughter the Lebanese people , then to Italy where he died in the city of Razina near Naples

in April 7, 1889.His body was brought back to his home village Ehden where he was buried in ST. George Church there. 

Jawad Boulos: One of the well-known Lebanese historians and politicians and the Author of "The Main Changes in the History of the Orient since Islam" He was appointed a deputy in the Lebanese house of speakers, then Minister of Foreign Affaires, Health, and Public Works. Died in September 16, 1982.

Patriarch Stephan Douaihy:(1630-1704)

One of the best Maronites Patriarchs that headed the Maronite Church in Lebanon, went to Rome for studying, where he was called "The Father Of The Maronite History" Wrote lots of books, had introduced the reforming to the Maronite Church, he as the first to bring a printing into Lebanon , lost his sight at the end of his days.

Saliba Douaihy:(1915-19

His painting brush took him to the range of the greatest painters, He started to paint on the Churches' walls, and nowadays his paintings are exposed in New York National Museum.

The Philosopher Gabriel Sahyouni: (1577-1648)

Was sent to Roma by the Patriarch Sarkis Rizzi ,where he had studied and learned languages interpreting , he had mastered the Syriac,Latin,Italian,turc,French,and Arabic languages, he was appointed as the private translator of King Louis XIII
The King of France.

Minister Hamid Frangieh: (1907-1981)

Got a lawyer degree in 1930. Was elected deputy in the house of speakers in 1932.
Was appointed minister of finance and other ministries such as Ministry of foreign affaires.

President Suleiman Frangieh:(1910-1992)
Has succeeded his brother Hamid Frangieh, elected deputy in 1960, has been Minister more than once, was elected president of Lebanon in 1970.

President Rene Mouawad: (1929-1989)

Has got a lawyer degree from Jesuites University in Beirut. Was elected deputy in the house of speakers in 1957. Has been appointed in several Ministries. Was elected president of Lebanon in 1989, was assassinated in 22 November 1989, the Independence Day.

Dabkeh in Ehden
 Not even a marriage nor a festival will be accomplished without the Lebanese traditional dance (the Dabkeh), where women and men hand by hand move their bodies on the rhythm of the Nay and drum and hitting the soil with their feet.
The traditional marriage is usually done in a compromise between the groom and bride's parents. And at the set date , a gathering will be set in the village center where everyone dance with sabers and lances , wearing their traditional clothes and tossing the married couple with perfumes, roses, and rice.

The Zghortoite Dishes:

One of the main dishes is the Kebbeh which is formed by a blend of minced meat and crashed wheat. This blend is hit inside a carved stone called "the Jern" with a light wooden make hammer; this plate will be eaten either grilled or Baked.

 Le Tabouli is the second dish whish is a blend of crashed wheat, parsley, tomato, onion, spices, oil, and lemon juice.

Mejaddarah is another dish whish is formed by crashed wheat, hard grains of beans, onion, and oil, baked in the oven.