The Druze community, a religious and ethnic minority present in several Middle Eastern countries and in the diaspora, has a rich culture and history, sprinkled with fascinating traditions and curiosities. We will explore some of these unique aspects that help us better understand the Druze community.
Origin and religion: The Druze are known for their distinct religion, called "Druzism" or "Druzeism". This religion has roots in Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and other mystical traditions. However, many Druze keep the details of their religion secret, revealing them only to those within the community.
Mountainities of Lebanon: Most Druze live in the mountainous region of Lebanon. This area offers a spectacular panorama of the Lebanon Mountains, which have historical and spiritual importance in Druze culture.
Community Unity: The Druze have strong unity in their community. They help each other in times of need and share a close bond with their cultural roots. This unity is essential for preserving their traditions and values.
Druze women: In the Druze community, women have an important role in everyday life and in preserving traditions. They also have a spiritual teacher and play an essential role in transmitting cultural and religious values to new generations. Within the Druze religion, there is the concept of "Sheikha", who represents a spiritual teacher, often a woman. Sheikha can have a profound impact on the spiritual lives of community members and can provide spiritual guidance and counsel. Compared to other Middle Eastern cultures and religions, Druze women generally have more independence and rights. They can participate in the decision-making process in the family and community and have the right to education and choice of life partner.
Resistance and independence: The history of the Druze was marked by the struggle for independence and identity. They played a significant role in Lebanon's history and supported various resistance movements against foreign occupation.
Feast days: The Druze community has several special holidays, such as "Eid al-Adha" and "Eid al-Fitr". These celebrations bring community members together to celebrate and strengthen cultural ties.
Eid al-Adha (Eid al-Kabir):
Date: Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the tenth day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic calendar, which corresponds to the time of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
Meaning: This holiday is also known as the "Feast of Sacrifice". It is the time when Muslims and Druze commemorate the sacrifice of Ibrahim (Abraham) and celebrate by sacrificing an animal, such as a sheep or lamb, followed by the distribution of meat to those in need. Eid al-Adha is a time of generosity and help to the poor.
Eid al-Fitr:
Date: Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the sacred month of Ramadan and begins on the first day of the month of Shawwal in the Islamic calendar.
Meaning: This holiday is also known as the "Feast of Rupture" and marks the end of the Ramadan fast. The Druze celebrate it with mass prayers, charity and family parties, where gifts are given and traditional dishes are consumed.
Ahl al-Bayt (Feast of the Prophet's Family):
Date: This holiday is dedicated to the family of the Prophet Muhammad and is celebrated on a specific day, which may vary from community to community.
Ahl al-Bayt is a time of recognition of the importance of the Prophet's family in Islam and Druze culture. The community gathers to celebrate family ties and to commemorate important events related to the Prophet's family.