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| Lebanese Customs | |
|---|---|
| Name | Lebanese Customs |
| Caption | Cedar of Lebanon on the national flag |
| Region | Lebanon |
Lebanese Customs Lebanese customs encompass traditions and social practices rooted in the history of Lebanon, influenced by interactions with Phoenicia, Rome, the Byzantium, the Umayyads, the Ottoman Empire, and modern encounters with France and the United States. These customs are practiced across communities including Maronites, Sunnis, Shias, Druze, Armenians, and Greek Orthodox populations, and are observed in urban centers like Beirut, Tripoli, and Sidon as well as in rural areas such as the Bekaa Valley and Mount Lebanon.
Lebanon's customs trace to Phoenicia maritime networks, the syncretism of Hellenism under Alexander the Great, the administrative legacies of Roman law, and ecclesiastical traditions of the Eastern Orthodox Church and Catholic Church. Ottoman millet policies shaped communal identity alongside legal pluralism associated with the Ottoman Empire and the later French Mandate, while Lebanese Civil War experiences and Lebanese diaspora flows to Brazil, Australia, Canada, and France further diversified practices. Trade with Alexandria, pilgrimage routes to Jerusalem, and cultural exchange with Istanbul and Damascus contributed to rituals, artisanal crafts, and culinary forms tied to historical events like the Battle of Maysalun and treaties such as the Sykes–Picot Agreement.
Social interaction often follows norms shaped by networks linked to Beirut Stock Exchange elites, rural notables, and clerical authorities from institutions like Saint Maron and Al-Amin Mosque. Greeting practices blend handshakes, cheek kisses, and formal titles similar to etiquette in Cairo, Istanbul, and Damascus. Hospitality protocols mirror customs in Aleppo and Tripoli, with visitors receiving offers reflecting traditions endorsed by figures from Rashid Karami to cultural patrons associated with the Ba’albeck International Festival. Public behavior is often negotiated through municipal codes enacted in Beirut Municipality and provincial traditions in Zgharta and Sidon.
Family structures reflect clan networks seen in regions like Akkar and Keserwan District, with marriage arrangements historically mediated by local notables, clergy from Maronite Patriarchate to imams of Al-Azhar influence, and civil registries established after the Mandate. Rituals include engagement customs parallel to practices in Damascus and Jerusalem, wedding feasts echoing celebrations at venues such as Baalbek, and dowry negotiations similar to patterns in Akkar District. Modern legal frameworks interact with personal status laws administered by bodies like the Supreme Judicial Council and religious courts connected to Greek Catholic Church authorities.
Religious calendars integrate observances from the Maronite Church, Greek Orthodox Church, Sunni Islam, Shia Islam, and the Druze faith, producing festivals comparable to commemorations in Antioch and processions inspired by rites at local shrines. Major festivities include Easter celebrations coordinated with churches such as Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Ramadan practices synchronized with mosques like Al-Amin Mosque, and communal commemorations during events linked to national memory such as anniversaries of the Independence Day and cultural gatherings at the Byblos Festival and Beirut Art Fair. Pilgrimage sites like Harissa and Our Lady of Lebanon sanctuary draw intercommunal participation reminiscent of Mediterranean pilgrimage patterns.
Lebanese dining traditions center on mezze spreads rooted in agricultural zones like the Bekaa Valley and coastal fisheries near Tyre (Sour), with dishes related to recipes from Aleppo, Alexandria, and Istanbul. Staples include tabbouleh, hummus, falafel, and grilled meats served at venues from family homes to restaurants in Hamra and the Corniche. Coffee culture involves Turkish coffee customs and rituals connected to cafés frequented by intellectuals from institutions like the American University of Beirut, while sweets such as baklava link to confectionery traditions in Damascus and Gaziantep. Hospitality etiquette mirrors norms upheld by hosts associated with NGOs like Lebanese Red Cross during receptions and public events hosted at venues such as Sursock Museum.
Traditional dress varies from folkloric garments displayed at the National Museum of Beirut to contemporary fashion influenced by designers who show at events like Beirut Fashion Week. In rural districts such as Chouf District and Zahle, traditional costumes persist in festivals hosted by municipalities including Byblos District, while urban styles in neighborhoods like Achrafieh and Gemmayzeh reflect trends imported via magazines and retailers from Paris and Milan. Religious attire—priests of the Maronite Church, imams at Al-Amin Mosque, and Druze sheikhs—coexists with global fashion worn by professionals linked to banks on Beirut Central District.
Regional distinctions appear between coastal cities like Sidon and inland areas like the Bekaa Valley, with ethnic minorities including Armenians, Palestinians, Syrians, and Kurds maintaining specific customs tied to communities in Anjar and Bourj Hammoud. Mountain communities in Mount Lebanon preserve rites associated with families from Zgharta and Bsharri, while southern areas near Tyre and Nabatieh display practices influenced by cross-border ties to Galilee and Acre (Akko). Diaspora returnees from Brazil, Argentina, and Canada reintroduce variations evident in festivals held at cultural centers like the Said Akl Cultural Center.
Category:Culture of Lebanon