Since before documented time, the Lebanese people have planted roots deep into the middle east. While Lebanon has existed within empires, as its own country, and not at all, the people have never abandoned their tradition and culture. These people, with strong bonds in family, stick together through thick and thin, through good times and bad, through war and peace. Lebanese tradition and people all work together to create the beautiful culture present in Lebanon and around the world.

Lebanon has long existed, dating back to the Phoenician, Assyrian, Greek, and Roman empires. The country has gone through lots of change including: invasion, war, colonization, and more recently terrorism. Many historical figures walked through the streets of Lebanon as well. Recently, the country has been labelled as the “angriest country in the world”; however, this does not speak at all to the people living in it. The recent building explosion along the coast of Lebanon’s capital city Beirut lead to mass devastation across Lebanon, but this devastation created a greater need to tight-knit families. The already family- and community-centered culture fell back on its culture to receive the painful blow of a disaster. Even through the violent past soaked into Lebanon’s land, its thriving communities grow ever closer to each other.

Unfortunately, the economy of Lebanon has suffered as much as its people through poor governing and hardship. In the past hundred years, the Lebanese pound has stably increased at a fairly controlled rate compared to the United States Dollar. In February of 2023, political inaction among other things decreased the value of the Lebanese Pound by 90%, making it incredibly hard for Lebanese to make a living, and putting them well below the poverty line.

While this may seem devastating, and it certainly is, the Lebanese have learned to rely less on money and more on community through traditions. These traditions come through certain Lebanese folk dances such as Dabkeh or Balady.

What would a lively tradition like this be if it did not have great food as well? Some popular Lebanese dishes include: rice pilaf, hummus, sfiha (flatbread cookie with minced meat), mankosha (similar to pizza with thyme, cheese, or ground meat), and kafta (meatloaf/meatball dish). Lebanese food has parallels to Mediterranean dishes mixed with Middle Eastern spice and flavor. Do not let spice distract from all the combinations and mixtures of taste, though!

While Lebanon may not appear to be a safe place in a time of economic crisis and terrorism, the people are so much more than the country they live in. Their traditions and culture define them almost as much as they define each other. When travelling or researching, one should always keep in mind that social media deceives, and the only true memories one can experience are those made away from technology and by living in the moment.

Featured Image: Wikipedia