Atrash
Encyclopedia
The Atrash family is a famous Druze
family. It is traditionally considered the source of leadership in Jabal ad-Duruz.
The name has the alternate spellings (with the prefix of al, al-, el or el-) of Atrache, Attrache, Attrasch Atrach, Attrach and Attrash, and is Arabic for "deaf". However, this is just a folk etymology, as the family name, like that of the other equally famous Druze family, the Jumblat, is Kurdish in origin. It finds its roots in the Artushi/Hartush tribe of Kurds that spread from the environs of Lake Van
into northern Syria, albeit in its metathetic
form.
, and migrated in the beginning of the 18th century, from Lebanon
to Jabal ad-Duruz in southern Syria.
They grew in importance and in 1869, Ismail al-Atrash led them to overthrow the al-Hamdan
family by force. However, they were weakened by the peasant revolution of 1888.
In 1909, Zuqan al-Atrash led an unsuccessful rebellion
, and was executed in 1910. The al-Atrash family led their fellow Druze in fight against the Ottomans
once again during the Arab Revolt
until 1918 and the French
in 1923 and 1925–1927, headed by Sultan al-Atrash
(son of Zuqan al-Atrash).Their influence started to wane after unification and independence of Syria, especially with the death of Sultan Pasha al-Atrash.
Some members of the Atrash family emigrated from Syria
to Egypt
in the 1920s. Fleeing the French occupation of Syria, 'Alia al-Mundhir al-Atrash, from the House of Sultan al-Atrash, and her three children, Fuad, Farid
, and Amal al-Atrash (later known as Asmahan
) were sponsored by Egypt's prime minister Saad Zaghloul and later became naturalized citizens. After successful musical careers, Asmahan, Fuad and Farid al-Atrash were buried at the Fustat Plain in Cairo
.
Druze
The Druze are an esoteric, monotheistic religious community, found primarily in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan, which emerged during the 11th century from Ismailism. The Druze have an eclectic set of beliefs that incorporate several elements from Abrahamic religions, Gnosticism, Neoplatonism...
family. It is traditionally considered the source of leadership in Jabal ad-Duruz.
The name has the alternate spellings (with the prefix of al, al-, el or el-) of Atrache, Attrache, Attrasch Atrach, Attrach and Attrash, and is Arabic for "deaf". However, this is just a folk etymology, as the family name, like that of the other equally famous Druze family, the Jumblat, is Kurdish in origin. It finds its roots in the Artushi/Hartush tribe of Kurds that spread from the environs of Lake Van
Lake Van
Lake Van is the largest lake in Turkey, located in the far east of the country in Van district. It is a saline and soda lake, receiving water from numerous small streams that descend from the surrounding mountains. Lake Van is one of the world's largest endorheic lakes . The original outlet from...
into northern Syria, albeit in its metathetic
Metathesis (linguistics)
Metathesis is the re-arranging of sounds or syllables in a word, or of words in a sentence. Most commonly it refers to the switching of two or more contiguous sounds, known as adjacent metathesis or local metathesis:...
form.
History
The family is claimed to be descended from the Prince Fakhreddin al Ma'aniFakhr-al-Din II
Emir Fakhr-al-Din ibn Maan was the 1st prince of the State of Lebanon which has self-governed under the Ottoman Empire between the 17th and 19th centuries. Son of Prince Qorqmaz ibn Maan and Sit Nasab of the Tanukhi family, he was given the title "Emir" or Prince in Arabic because the Maan...
, and migrated in the beginning of the 18th century, from 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...
to Jabal ad-Duruz in southern Syria.
They grew in importance and in 1869, Ismail al-Atrash led them to overthrow the al-Hamdan
Al-Hamdan
Al-Hamdan or Hamdan is a famous Druze family. They were banished from Lebanon after the Battle of Ain Dara in 1711 and were among the first to migrate to Jabal ad-Duruz in Southern Syria. But half of them stayed in Lebanon, and many where known to be from the government and men of law, and they...
family by force. However, they were weakened by the peasant revolution of 1888.
In 1909, Zuqan al-Atrash led an unsuccessful rebellion
Hauran Druze Rebellion
The Hauran Druze Rebellion was a violent Druze uprising against Ottoman authority in the Syrian province, which erupted in 1909. The rebellion was led by the al-Atrash family, in an aim to gain independence, but ended in brutal suppression of the Druze, significant depopulation of the Hauran region...
, and was executed in 1910. The al-Atrash family led their fellow Druze in fight against the Ottomans
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...
once again during the Arab Revolt
Arab Revolt
The Arab Revolt was initiated by the Sherif Hussein bin Ali with the aim of securing independence from the ruling Ottoman Turks and creating a single unified Arab state spanning from Aleppo in Syria to Aden in Yemen.- Background :...
until 1918 and the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in 1923 and 1925–1927, headed by Sultan al-Atrash
Sultan al-Atrash
Sultan al-Atrash, Commonly known as Sultan Pasha al-Atrash was a prominent Arab Druze leader, Syrian nationalist and Commander General of the Syrian Revolution . He fought against the Ottomans, French, and even against the Syrian government in its days of dictatorship...
(son of Zuqan al-Atrash).Their influence started to wane after unification and independence of Syria, especially with the death of Sultan Pasha al-Atrash.
Some members of the Atrash family emigrated from Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
to Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
in the 1920s. Fleeing the French occupation of Syria, 'Alia al-Mundhir al-Atrash, from the House of Sultan al-Atrash, and her three children, Fuad, Farid
Farid al-Atrash
Farid al-Atrash, or in French spelling Farid El-Atrache, was a Syrian-Egyptian composer, singer, virtuoso oud player, and actor. Having immigrated to Egypt in childhood, Farid embarked on a highly successful career spanning more than four decades — recording 500 songs and starring in 31 movies...
, and Amal al-Atrash (later known as Asmahan
Asmahan
Amal al-Atrash , better known by her stage name Asmahan , was a Syrian Druze singer and actress. Having immigrated to Egypt in childhood, her family knew the composer Dawood Hosni, and she sang the compositions of Mohamed El Qasabgi and Zakariyya Ahmad...
) were sponsored by Egypt's prime minister Saad Zaghloul and later became naturalized citizens. After successful musical careers, Asmahan, Fuad and Farid al-Atrash were buried at the Fustat Plain in Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
.
Notable members
- Sultan al-AtrashSultan al-AtrashSultan al-Atrash, Commonly known as Sultan Pasha al-Atrash was a prominent Arab Druze leader, Syrian nationalist and Commander General of the Syrian Revolution . He fought against the Ottomans, French, and even against the Syrian government in its days of dictatorship...
, leader of the Syrian Revolution. - Zaid al-Atrash, fighter and poet. Brother of Sultan Pasha.
- Mansour al-Atrash, Syrian politician. Son of Sultan Pasha.
- Nayla al-Atrash, actress.
- Farid al-AtrashFarid al-AtrashFarid al-Atrash, or in French spelling Farid El-Atrache, was a Syrian-Egyptian composer, singer, virtuoso oud player, and actor. Having immigrated to Egypt in childhood, Farid embarked on a highly successful career spanning more than four decades — recording 500 songs and starring in 31 movies...
, singer and virtuoso oudOudThe oud is a pear-shaped stringed instrument commonly used in North African and Middle Eastern music. The modern oud and the European lute both descend from a common ancestor via diverging paths...
player. - AsmahanAsmahanAmal al-Atrash , better known by her stage name Asmahan , was a Syrian Druze singer and actress. Having immigrated to Egypt in childhood, her family knew the composer Dawood Hosni, and she sang the compositions of Mohamed El Qasabgi and Zakariyya Ahmad...
, female singer. - Salim al-Atrash, first governor of the State of Jabal al-Druze.