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Druze: Mount Carmel
built 629 days ago
The name Druze is met with first in the narrative of the travels of the Jew Benjamin of Tudela (c. 1170 CE), who describes them as "Mountain dwellers, monotheists, [who] believe in soul transfigurations and are good friends with the Jews". The origin of the name has been much disputed. Some authorities see in it a descriptive epithet, derived from Arabic darasa (those who read the Book), or darisa (those in possession of Truth), etc.; but more connect it with the name of the first missionary, Isma'il Darazi.
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The fascinating history of the Druze began with the Shia sect descendents of the prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatima. One branch of the Shia sect was the Ismaili or Sevener sect, named after Ismail ibn Jafar who was the drunken older brother of the seventh Shia imam. Ismail’s strong following lived in the mountains of south Lebanon and in North Africa where they conquered Egypt in 969 AD and founded their capital city Cairo. For a period of two hundred years until the end of the Fatimid caliphate in 1174, Egypt’s Muslims were Shiite, an astounding concept since before and after, they have been resolute Sunnis.
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Most Druze families grow their own fruit and vegetables and bake their own bread. They eat a mostly vegetarian diet, with meat only on special occasions. Typical foods include olives; mountain bread (paper-thin, round, unleavened bread); yogurt; chickpeas flavored with onions, garlic, and tahini (sesame paste); and bulghur (cracked wheat). Salad is made of tomatoes, cucumber, parsley, and other herbs, with olive oil and lemon juice. Meats include lamb, kid (young goat's meat), chicken, and beef.
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The Druze ... played a major role in the War of Lebanon (1975-1990). They organized a militia under the leadership of Walid Jumblatt (son of Kamal Jumblatt) mostly as a response to aggressions conducted by other factions. They were based in the Mount Lebanon area.
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The Druze live an isolated and close-knit life for the very good reason that in their part of the world violence and persecution has been an every day hazard for at least 2000 years. They have found that living in the most inaccessible parts of the mountains and giving a very good impression of being a secret and fanatical religious sect has the desired effect of putting off all but the most tenacious of persecuting forces.
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[One] minor shrine, the tomb of Abu Ibrahim attracts Druze from all over Israel, in fulfillment of vows and to receive a blessing. It is located in the town of Daliyat el-Carmel on Mount Carmel.
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