Kafarakab
Encyclopedia
Kafarakab (also spelled Kfarakab or Kfar Akab and prounounced "Kfara-ab" in Arabic
) is the francophone spelling of the name of a scenic village in the mountains of Lebanon
. In Arabic, it means the home (Kfar: كفر) of the hawk (Akab: عقاب). The village, which is located in the Matn District
of the Mount Lebanon Governorate
, is of particular significance because it is one of the various historic points of origin of the well known Maalouf family. It was founded c. 1560 AD when three families of the Maalouf
clan, living at the time across the valley in the village of Mhaydse, received permission from the ruling emir to establish the village. The Maalouf
family history is traced back to the very beginnings of Christianity
in the Middle East
beginning with the Ghassanid tribe, which converted to Christianity nearly 2,000 years ago. The family name is now widespread worldwide. Family lineages are detailed and well preserved, and conferences and a sense of family pride still preserve traditions, reunions, and culture. The preservation effort has the intent of documenting every known person bearing the Maalouf name. All Maalouf families originate from Kafarakab
Aside from this notoriety, the village is quaint and picturesque. It is of no great size, consisting of only a few dozens of old homes built on terraced mountainsides lined with grape vineyards and many varieties of fruit trees. The population swells during the summer as its members leave the heat of the Lebanese coastline to the freshness of the mountain. Its weather is moderate, with temperatures in ranging near 70 F (25 C) in the summer, and near 30 F (0 C) in the winter season. Snowfall is common in the winter, with snow accumulations reaching 3 to 4 feet (1 meter).
The population follows the Christian faith, divided between Antiochian Orthodox and Melkite
. The local St. Mary church is separated into two halves, one for each faith. The breathtaking view is perhaps the most impressive aspect of this red terra cotta rooftop cluster - including a view of the snow capped Lebanon mountains to the east, and the Mediterranean sea and the city of Beirut
to the west. The village sits at an elevation about 3,600 ft. (1,100 m) just below the village of Baskinta
and the towering Mount Sannine
. Its distance to Beirut is approximately 40 km, or approximately 1 hour of driving. Its GPS coordinates are 33°56′49"N 35°44′28"E
It is truly one of those small places from which a great diaspora has influenced the world. From Kfarakab, the Maalouf clan migrated within Lebanon to Zahlé
and Niha
in the Bekaa Valley where it became one of the most prominent families in these villages. The migration continued in the late 1800s and 1900s to Brazil
, the United States of America and Canada
where the family prospered and has become known in many spheres of influence.
Fady Maalouf
, German singer, born in Zahlé (lives now in Berlin)
Elise Maalouf, 3d animator, born in kafarakab (lives now in lebanon)
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
) is the francophone spelling of the name of a scenic village in the mountains 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...
. In Arabic, it means the home (Kfar: كفر) of the hawk (Akab: عقاب). The village, which is located in the Matn District
Matn District
Matn , sometimes spelled Metn, is a district in the Mount Lebanon Governorate of Lebanon, east of the Lebanon's capital Beirut...
of the Mount Lebanon Governorate
Mount Lebanon Governorate
Mount Lebanon is one of the Governorates of Lebanon. Its capital is Baabda. The overwhelming majority of its population is Maronites, Greek Orthodox, and Melkite Greek Catholic Christians...
, is of particular significance because it is one of the various historic points of origin of the well known Maalouf family. It was founded c. 1560 AD when three families of the Maalouf
Maalouf
Maalouf is the surname of one family that encompasses over 250,000 sons and daughters who share one single ancestor and a detailed family tree for nearly five centuries.-Origins:The Maalouf family belongs to the group of tribes known as Ghassanids that emigrated from Yemen to Houran...
clan, living at the time across the valley in the village of Mhaydse, received permission from the ruling emir to establish the village. The Maalouf
Maalouf
Maalouf is the surname of one family that encompasses over 250,000 sons and daughters who share one single ancestor and a detailed family tree for nearly five centuries.-Origins:The Maalouf family belongs to the group of tribes known as Ghassanids that emigrated from Yemen to Houran...
family history is traced back to the very beginnings of Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
in the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
beginning with the Ghassanid tribe, which converted to Christianity nearly 2,000 years ago. The family name is now widespread worldwide. Family lineages are detailed and well preserved, and conferences and a sense of family pride still preserve traditions, reunions, and culture. The preservation effort has the intent of documenting every known person bearing the Maalouf name. All Maalouf families originate from Kafarakab
Aside from this notoriety, the village is quaint and picturesque. It is of no great size, consisting of only a few dozens of old homes built on terraced mountainsides lined with grape vineyards and many varieties of fruit trees. The population swells during the summer as its members leave the heat of the Lebanese coastline to the freshness of the mountain. Its weather is moderate, with temperatures in ranging near 70 F (25 C) in the summer, and near 30 F (0 C) in the winter season. Snowfall is common in the winter, with snow accumulations reaching 3 to 4 feet (1 meter).
The population follows the Christian faith, divided between Antiochian Orthodox and Melkite
Melkite
The term Melkite, also written Melchite, refers to various Byzantine Rite Christian churches and their members originating in the Middle East. The word comes from the Syriac word malkāyā , and the Arabic word Malakī...
. The local St. Mary church is separated into two halves, one for each faith. The breathtaking view is perhaps the most impressive aspect of this red terra cotta rooftop cluster - including a view of the snow capped Lebanon mountains to the east, and the Mediterranean sea and the city of Beirut
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
to the west. The village sits at an elevation about 3,600 ft. (1,100 m) just below the village of Baskinta
Baskinta
Baskinta is a Lebanese village situated at an altitude of 1300 meters above sea level. It is renowned for its natural beauty and moderate climate. It is the birth place of Mikhail Naime....
and the towering Mount Sannine
Mount Sannine
Mount Sannine is a mountain in the Mount Lebanon range. Its highest point is 2,628 m above sea level in Lebanon. Mount Sannine, which has a base of limestone, is the source of many mountain springs.- External links :*...
. Its distance to Beirut is approximately 40 km, or approximately 1 hour of driving. Its GPS coordinates are 33°56′49"N 35°44′28"E
It is truly one of those small places from which a great diaspora has influenced the world. From Kfarakab, the Maalouf clan migrated within Lebanon to Zahlé
Zahlé
Zahlé is the capital and largest city of Beqaa Governorate, Lebanon. With around 50,000 inhabitants, it is the fourth largest city in Lebanon, after Beirut, Tripoli and Jounieh...
and Niha
Niha
Niha is a city in the Chouf which belongs to Mount Lebanon of Lebanon.The city is 24 miles from Beirut and it has about 2,750 hectares; there are 3,500 inhabitants approximately. However, there are only two public schools in the city. It is famous because of its olive groves and its grapes,...
in the Bekaa Valley where it became one of the most prominent families in these villages. The migration continued in the late 1800s and 1900s to Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, the United States of America and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
where the family prospered and has become known in many spheres of influence.
Notable residents
- The classical trumpeter Nassim MaaloufNassim MaaloufNassim Maalouf is a classical trumpet soloist particularly known for his adaptation of the trumpet to Arabic music....
was born in Kafarakab.
Fady Maalouf
Fady Maalouf
Fady Maalouf is a Lebanese-German pop singer. He is known as runner up of the fifth season of Deutschland sucht den Superstar, the German version of Pop Idol.-Early life:...
, German singer, born in Zahlé (lives now in Berlin)
Elise Maalouf, 3d animator, born in kafarakab (lives now in lebanon)