Karmsaddeh
Encyclopedia
Karmsaddeh is a village located in the Zgharta District
in the North Governorate
of Lebanon
. Its population is predominantly Maronite Catholic. Within the village centre is Saint John's Church. Saint John is the patron Saint of Karmsaddeh.
n) periods in the vicinity of the village, especially in the area of the extinct village of Qarheen . According to some Historians, Qarheen was destroyed by the Mamluk
s at the end of the 13th Century and its inhabitants took refuge in Karmsaddeh.
It is arguably known that Karmsaddeh has been inhabited for up to 2,000 years.
The oldest reference to Qarheen is found on
At the beginning of the Ottoman era in Lebanon
, Karmsaddeh was a relatively important village.
In the first Ottoman
Census of 1519, Karmsaddeh belonged to the Jebbet Bsharri
region. All the inhabitants were Christians. The records show that there were 32 male adults (more than 15 years old), and 29 of them were married. If we adopt the common estimation of the Historians of that period, Karmsaddeh should have counted 211 inhabitants, which represented a relatively important settlement.
In the Census of 1571, Karmsaddeh counted 47 male adults, all Christians and married. It represents an annual demographic increase of 7.5 per mil per year, figure to be compared to the average of the region of 4.2 per mil per year. It is an important demographic vitality during the very difficult 16th century.
In 1885, the Maronite seminar of Mar Yaaqoub was founded in Karmsaddeh by the archbishop of Tripoli
. It is still today one of the important seminars of the Maronite Church
.
At the end of the 19th Century, emigration to the new world started among the natives of Karmsaddeh. It continued all along the 20th Century and many people left to Africa (South Africa
and Senegal
), to France, Canada, the United States of America and Australia. The largest community of Karmsaddeh natives is found in the region of Sydney
, Australia
. It is estimated some 500 towns-people live in Australia. There is a 'Karm Sadde Charitable' Association based in Sydney. The Association is based in Chester Hill
, in the City of Parramatta
. The community is fairly active and holds several charitable events each year.
, Australia
.
Karmsaddeh is a predominantly Maronite Catholic village. Saint Jacob's Church is one of the main village churches. There are currently two churches within the main village centre, being dedicated to Saint John
, the town's patron saint. One church is the older and smaller church, commonly used for weekday services, and the new church is used for Sundays and festivals as it has a larger capacity to hold the village population.
and Ehden
. The village is located on a mountain side. Whilst the built up parts of the village are relatively small, the overall area of Karmsaddeh is large and covers a fair expanse of land area. The village is approximately 22km south-east of Tripoli
.
The village is located approximately 750m above sea level which gives the village an all year round desirable climate, being mid-way between the coast and the mountains.
In summer, the heat is mild, with mountain and sea breezes help reduce the coastal humidity experienced along the coast, whilst the village remains warmer than upper mountain villages in North Lebanon. In winter, the villages experiences some snow, however the village remains habitable.
The village forms part of the end of the Quadisha Valley before the river feeds into the Mediterranean Sea.
Internet access is available to most of the village.
Within the village are a number of small family-owned supermarkets that provide everyday items such as groceries. There are a number of cafe/eatery facilities located in the village. Generally, most other supplies must are available in Zgharta
, which lies approximately 15 minutes from the village by road.
Government services are also provided in Zgharta
.
Within the village is also; an Orthodox Monastery (Known as Hamatoura); Saint Jacob's Church and school and seminary; Saint John's Church; a village hall and burial ground.
Karmsaddeh has a high residential population that has remained in the core of the village, unlike many other villages. This is due to a number of factors including the proximity of the village to major towns and cities, the year round habitable climate and the relative stability of the community. In recent years, many non-residents, notable residents and expatriates have invested in building homes in Karmsadde.
Zgharta District
Zgharta District is a district of the North Governorate, Lebanon.The administrative center is the town of Zgharta. The district has 57 populated areas with 30 municipalities covering 37 villages. Some areas share the same municipality such as Ehden/Zgharta, Kfarsghab/Morh Kfarsghab or...
in the North Governorate
North Governorate
North Governorate is one of the governorates of Lebanon. Its capital is Tripoli.-Districts:The North Governorate is divided into districts, or aqdya...
of Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
. Its population is predominantly Maronite Catholic. Within the village centre is Saint John's Church. Saint John is the patron Saint of Karmsaddeh.
Etymology
Karmsaddeh is composed of two parts: Karm and Saddeh.- Karm is of SemiticSemitic languagesThe Semitic languages are a group of related languages whose living representatives are spoken by more than 270 million people across much of the Middle East, North Africa and the Horn of Africa...
origin and means Vineyard.
- Saddeh could mean in Aramaic the Aromatic plants and also a measurement unit of 100 feet.
History
Karmsaddeh have been home for a very ancient settlement as one can still find ruins going most probably to the Greek and Roman (and maybe PhoeniciaPhoenicia
Phoenicia , was an ancient civilization in Canaan which covered most of the western, coastal part of the Fertile Crescent. Several major Phoenician cities were built on the coastline of the Mediterranean. It was an enterprising maritime trading culture that spread across the Mediterranean from 1550...
n) periods in the vicinity of the village, especially in the area of the extinct village of Qarheen . According to some Historians, Qarheen was destroyed by the Mamluk
Mamluk
A Mamluk was a soldier of slave origin, who were predominantly Cumans/Kipchaks The "mamluk phenomenon", as David Ayalon dubbed the creation of the specific warrior...
s at the end of the 13th Century and its inhabitants took refuge in Karmsaddeh.
It is arguably known that Karmsaddeh has been inhabited for up to 2,000 years.
The oldest reference to Qarheen is found on
a cooking-pot and its lid left to the Monastery of Qozhaya by Father George (Jerjes), a priest serving the village of Qarhin, in the year 1000 of the Christian era..
At the beginning of the Ottoman era in Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
, Karmsaddeh was a relatively important village.
In the first Ottoman
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
Census of 1519, Karmsaddeh belonged to the Jebbet Bsharri
Bsharri
Bsharri , is a Lebanese town at about 1,450 m of altitude, near the Kadisha Valley. It is located at , in the Bsharri District of the North Governorate. Bsharri is the town of the only remaining Original Cedars of Lebanon...
region. All the inhabitants were Christians. The records show that there were 32 male adults (more than 15 years old), and 29 of them were married. If we adopt the common estimation of the Historians of that period, Karmsaddeh should have counted 211 inhabitants, which represented a relatively important settlement.
In the Census of 1571, Karmsaddeh counted 47 male adults, all Christians and married. It represents an annual demographic increase of 7.5 per mil per year, figure to be compared to the average of the region of 4.2 per mil per year. It is an important demographic vitality during the very difficult 16th century.
In 1885, the Maronite seminar of Mar Yaaqoub was founded in Karmsaddeh by the archbishop of Tripoli
Tripoli, Lebanon
Tripoli is the largest city in northern Lebanon and the second-largest city in Lebanon. Situated 85 km north of the capital Beirut, Tripoli is the capital of the North Governorate and the Tripoli District. Geographically located on the east of the Mediterranean, the city's history dates back...
. It is still today one of the important seminars of the Maronite Church
Maronite Church
The Syriac Maronite Church of Antioch is an Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with the Holy See of Rome . It traces its heritage back to the community founded by Maron, a 4th-century Syriac monk venerated as a saint. The first Maronite Patriarch, John Maron, was elected in the late 7th...
.
At the end of the 19th Century, emigration to the new world started among the natives of Karmsaddeh. It continued all along the 20th Century and many people left to Africa (South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and Senegal
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
), to France, Canada, the United States of America and Australia. The largest community of Karmsaddeh natives is found in the region of Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. It is estimated some 500 towns-people live in Australia. There is a 'Karm Sadde Charitable' Association based in Sydney. The Association is based in Chester Hill
Chester Hill, New South Wales
Chester Hill, a suburb of local government area City of Bankstown is located 25 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the state of New South Wales, Australia, and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region...
, in the City of Parramatta
City of Parramatta
The City of Parramatta is a Local Government Area in western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia.Initially in 1861 it was formed as Municipality of Parramatta...
. The community is fairly active and holds several charitable events each year.
Demographics
The estimated population of Karmsaddeh is approximately 1,300 residents. It is estimated that there could be up to, or over 1,000 Karmsaddeh natives outside of Lebanon. The largest concentration is in ParramattaParramatta, New South Wales
Parramatta is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is located in Greater Western Sydney west of the Sydney central business district on the banks of the Parramatta River. Parramatta is the administrative seat of the Local Government Area of the City of Parramatta...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
Karmsaddeh is a predominantly Maronite Catholic village. Saint Jacob's Church is one of the main village churches. There are currently two churches within the main village centre, being dedicated to Saint John
John the Apostle
John the Apostle, John the Apostle, John the Apostle, (Aramaic Yoħanna, (c. 6 - c. 100) was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He was the son of Zebedee and Salome, and brother of James, another of the Twelve Apostles...
, the town's patron saint. One church is the older and smaller church, commonly used for weekday services, and the new church is used for Sundays and festivals as it has a larger capacity to hold the village population.
Geography and Location
Karmsaddeh is located along the main highway route connecting the main towns of ZghartaZgharta
Zgharta, or Zghorta is a large town in North Lebanon, with an estimated population of around 70,000.Zgharta is about 150 metres above sea level and lies between the rivers of Jouit and Rashein...
and Ehden
Ehden
Ehden is a mountainous town situated in the heart of the northern mountains of Lebanon and on the southwestern slopes of Mount Makmal and Kornet el Sawda, the highest peak in Lebanon...
. The village is located on a mountain side. Whilst the built up parts of the village are relatively small, the overall area of Karmsaddeh is large and covers a fair expanse of land area. The village is approximately 22km south-east of Tripoli
Tripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...
.
The village is located approximately 750m above sea level which gives the village an all year round desirable climate, being mid-way between the coast and the mountains.
In summer, the heat is mild, with mountain and sea breezes help reduce the coastal humidity experienced along the coast, whilst the village remains warmer than upper mountain villages in North Lebanon. In winter, the villages experiences some snow, however the village remains habitable.
The village forms part of the end of the Quadisha Valley before the river feeds into the Mediterranean Sea.
Facilities and amenity
Karmsaddeh itself is a relatively well serviced village. Water supplies are available to all homes in the main village area. Electricity is provided to most households, however services are inconsistent as they are in most parts of Lebanon.Internet access is available to most of the village.
Within the village are a number of small family-owned supermarkets that provide everyday items such as groceries. There are a number of cafe/eatery facilities located in the village. Generally, most other supplies must are available in Zgharta
Zgharta
Zgharta, or Zghorta is a large town in North Lebanon, with an estimated population of around 70,000.Zgharta is about 150 metres above sea level and lies between the rivers of Jouit and Rashein...
, which lies approximately 15 minutes from the village by road.
Government services are also provided in Zgharta
Zgharta
Zgharta, or Zghorta is a large town in North Lebanon, with an estimated population of around 70,000.Zgharta is about 150 metres above sea level and lies between the rivers of Jouit and Rashein...
.
Within the village is also; an Orthodox Monastery (Known as Hamatoura); Saint Jacob's Church and school and seminary; Saint John's Church; a village hall and burial ground.
Karmsaddeh has a high residential population that has remained in the core of the village, unlike many other villages. This is due to a number of factors including the proximity of the village to major towns and cities, the year round habitable climate and the relative stability of the community. In recent years, many non-residents, notable residents and expatriates have invested in building homes in Karmsadde.