Tebnine
Encyclopedia
Tebnine is a Mediterranean village spread across several hills (ranging in altitude from 700m to 800m (2,275' to 2,600') above sea level
) located about 25 km (15.5 mi) east of Tyre (Lebanon), in the heart of what is known as "Jabal Amel
" or the mountain of "Amel". "Jabal Amel" designates the plateau situated between the western mountain range of Lebanon
and the Galilee
. (See map)
Many of Tebnine's natives live abroad primarily in the United States and Canada although many are scattered throughout the entire world. Most Tebnine natives return during the summer where the village becomes a lively place as people come from both Beirut and foreign countries for their summer vacation.
The nightlife is marked with a family-like gathering of the townspeople who often dress fashionably and "hang out" at the various cafes.
Tebnine is also well known for the "Kazdoura" a long stretch of road that extends from the beginning to the end of the village and where the townspeople often take their evening strolls. It also hosts a weekly flea market called the "Souk El Jomaa". Most of the larger villages have these flea markets and each have their own specific day. Since "Jomaa" means Friday, Tebnine hosts the flea market on that day.
Ninety percent of the townspeople speak English due to the presence of the United Nations
.
In the summer of 2005 a year before the Israelis and Lebanon war Tebnine had a record number of foreigners and returning nationals visit the village.
) was originally a Phoenician city state. Many of the existing families of Tibnine have a background makeup of Phoenician, European and Arab due to ranging influences in the region over centuries. It was also a center for the Crusaders
during the Middle Ages
.
Shortly after the conquering of the Castle by Salahedine, in 1187, the El-Seid Tribesman who were direct descendants of the Prophet Mohammad and who were trusted confidantes to Salahedine, allowed other Tribesman of the Sufism Fawza, (a small group of devoted, dedicated people) to habitat in the Land of Tibnine.
After the conquering by the Mamluke Sultan al Zahir Baybars in 1266, the Tribesman of El-Seid and Fawza fought to keep Tibnine in Arab hands.
The town could be ancient as there are references to the second largest town in the vicinity, Bint Jbeil; in the Book of Joshua
, usually regarded as having been written in the 13th century BC. It is also widely believed that Jesus
performed his first miracle by turning water into wine at Cana
.
The town's population are mostly Jaafari Shiite Muslims
and Christians Catholic. No exact population count has been taken since the census of 1932, however estimates show that the population could be around 5,000.
, the town was mostly unaffected despite the co-existence of Muslims and Christians. The town as a whole however, was subjected to the taunting of the South Lebanese Army (Israelis backed Phalanges) who would every now and then fire on the outskirts of the town.
took over the security of South Lebanon by replacing the Lebanese Army. The Irish Battalion renamed the Tebnine army base Camp Shamrock.
The United Nations can be credited with providing jobs and social services to Tebnine and the surrounding villages. Camp Shamrock was responsible for the building and assistance of the Tebnin Orphanage.
During the war between Israel and Lebanon
in July 2006, like other villages, Tebnine had many homes destroyed but not of the magnitude of villages like Bint Jbeil
, Qana
and Aita Shaab.
In the old center (Zakouk), located in the upper part of town near The Crusader Castle, most of the homes are completely destroyed or damaged.
Near the government hospital there is a central hub for transportation in and out of the village. The Israelis dropped several bombs near it forcing some 2000 civilians to take refuge inside of the hospital.
It has been estimated that Israel dropped 100,000 cluster bombs in the area of Tebnine and the surrounding villages. Two hundred cluster bombs were found by bomb defusing experts on the first day of the ceasefire near the government hospital, where the civilians were hiding. Experts say it will take months, if not years, to remove the unexploded bombs. A Chinese battalion attached to the U.N. forces in southern Lebanon was clearing 250 to 300 unexploded devices a day.
For the first time since the civil war in 1975, The Lebanese Army has returned to South Lebanon including Tebnine as one of the conditions of UN Resolution 1701
.
Prince Hugh of Saint Omer
, the governor of Tiberias built the Crusader Castle in the year 1105 to prepare for the siege of Tyre
but it was later conquered by Saladin
in 1187 and then taken back by the Franks in 1229. Mamluke Sultan Al-Zahir Baibars
of Egypt finally conquered it in 1266 and it's been in Arab hands ever since.
The castle has been confused with other castles in the country e.g. Beaufort Castle
. But it is originally the Toron
Castle. Today it is mostly referred to as "The Tebnine Castle".
The Crusader Castle has been used by many different factions and armies over the years because of its stragetic position overlooking miles of terrain.
With its historic castle and South Lebanon's history of occupiers and conquerors that include Alexander the Great, Tebnine has the potential to be a monumental tourist attraction in more peaceful times.
Sea level
Mean sea level is a measure of the average height of the ocean's surface ; used as a standard in reckoning land elevation...
) located about 25 km (15.5 mi) east of Tyre (Lebanon), in the heart of what is known as "Jabal Amel
Jabal Amel
Jabal Amel or Amil is a mountainous region of Southern Lebanon.The region is named after the Banu 'Amilah, a Yemenite tribe who, along with the kindred tribes of Hamadan, Lakhm, and Judham, settled in Syria, Palestine, parts of Jordan, and Lebanon. The area was known in ancient times as Jabal...
" or the mountain of "Amel". "Jabal Amel" designates the plateau situated between the western mountain range 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...
and the Galilee
Galilee
Galilee , is a large region in northern Israel which overlaps with much of the administrative North District of the country. Traditionally divided into Upper Galilee , Lower Galilee , and Western Galilee , extending from Dan to the north, at the base of Mount Hermon, along Mount Lebanon to the...
. (See map)
Social and Economic Culture
Tebnine has several economic resources such as a governmental hospital, a police station, post office, financial institutions as well as cafes and commercial shops. It is known as one of the most diverse village in south Lebanon.Many of Tebnine's natives live abroad primarily in the United States and Canada although many are scattered throughout the entire world. Most Tebnine natives return during the summer where the village becomes a lively place as people come from both Beirut and foreign countries for their summer vacation.
The nightlife is marked with a family-like gathering of the townspeople who often dress fashionably and "hang out" at the various cafes.
Tebnine is also well known for the "Kazdoura" a long stretch of road that extends from the beginning to the end of the village and where the townspeople often take their evening strolls. It also hosts a weekly flea market called the "Souk El Jomaa". Most of the larger villages have these flea markets and each have their own specific day. Since "Jomaa" means Friday, Tebnine hosts the flea market on that day.
Ninety percent of the townspeople speak English due to the presence of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
.
In the summer of 2005 a year before the Israelis and Lebanon war Tebnine had a record number of foreigners and returning nationals visit the village.
History
Tebnine or (ToronToron
Toron, now Tibnin or Tebnine in southern Lebanon, was a major Crusader castle, built in the Lebanon mountains on the road from Tyre to Damascus....
) was originally a Phoenician city state. Many of the existing families of Tibnine have a background makeup of Phoenician, European and Arab due to ranging influences in the region over centuries. It was also a center for the Crusaders
Crusaders
The Crusaders are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Christchurch that competes in the Super Rugby competition. They are the most successful team in Super Rugby history with seven titles...
during the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
.
Shortly after the conquering of the Castle by Salahedine, in 1187, the El-Seid Tribesman who were direct descendants of the Prophet Mohammad and who were trusted confidantes to Salahedine, allowed other Tribesman of the Sufism Fawza, (a small group of devoted, dedicated people) to habitat in the Land of Tibnine.
After the conquering by the Mamluke Sultan al Zahir Baybars in 1266, the Tribesman of El-Seid and Fawza fought to keep Tibnine in Arab hands.
The town could be ancient as there are references to the second largest town in the vicinity, Bint Jbeil; in the Book of Joshua
Book of Joshua
The Book of Joshua is the sixth book in the Hebrew Bible and of the Old Testament. Its 24 chapters tell of the entry of the Israelites into Canaan, their conquest and division of the land under the leadership of Joshua, and of serving God in the land....
, usually regarded as having been written in the 13th century BC. It is also widely believed that Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
performed his first miracle by turning water into wine at Cana
Cana
In the Christian New Testament, the Gospel of John refers a number of times to a town called Cana of Galilee.-The marriage at Cana:Among Christians and other students of the New Testament, Cana is best known as the place where, according to the Fourth Gospel, Jesus performed his first public...
.
The town's population are mostly Jaafari Shiite Muslims
Shi'a Islam
Shia Islam is the second largest denomination of Islam. The followers of Shia Islam are called Shi'ites or Shias. "Shia" is the short form of the historic phrase Shīʻatu ʻAlī , meaning "followers of Ali", "faction of Ali", or "party of Ali".Like other schools of thought in Islam, Shia Islam is...
and Christians Catholic. No exact population count has been taken since the census of 1932, however estimates show that the population could be around 5,000.
Civil War
During the civil warLebanese Civil War
The Lebanese Civil War was a multifaceted civil war in Lebanon. The war lasted from 1975 to 1990 and resulted in an estimated 150,000 to 230,000 civilian fatalities. Another one million people were wounded, and today approximately 350,000 people remain displaced. There was also a mass exodus of...
, the town was mostly unaffected despite the co-existence of Muslims and Christians. The town as a whole however, was subjected to the taunting of the South Lebanese Army (Israelis backed Phalanges) who would every now and then fire on the outskirts of the town.
United Nations
In 1978, the United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
took over the security of South Lebanon by replacing the Lebanese Army. The Irish Battalion renamed the Tebnine army base Camp Shamrock.
The United Nations can be credited with providing jobs and social services to Tebnine and the surrounding villages. Camp Shamrock was responsible for the building and assistance of the Tebnin Orphanage.
Israel-Lebanon conflict
2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict
The 2006 Lebanon War, also called the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War and known in Lebanon as the July War #Other uses|Tammūz]]) and in Israel as the Second Lebanon War , was a 34-day military conflict in Lebanon, northern Israel and the Israeli-occupied territories. The principal parties were Hezbollah...
in July 2006, like other villages, Tebnine had many homes destroyed but not of the magnitude of villages like Bint Jbeil
Bint Jbeil
Bint Jbeil is the second largest town in the Nabatiye Governorate in Southern Lebanon.The town has an estimated population of 30,000. Its exact population is unknown, because Lebanon has not conducted a population census since 1932.-History:...
, Qana
Qana
Qana also spelled Cana is a village in southern Lebanon located southeast of the city of Tyre and north of the border with Israel. The 10,000 residents of Qana are primarily Shiite Muslim although there is also a Christian community in the village....
and Aita Shaab.
In the old center (Zakouk), located in the upper part of town near The Crusader Castle, most of the homes are completely destroyed or damaged.
Near the government hospital there is a central hub for transportation in and out of the village. The Israelis dropped several bombs near it forcing some 2000 civilians to take refuge inside of the hospital.
It has been estimated that Israel dropped 100,000 cluster bombs in the area of Tebnine and the surrounding villages. Two hundred cluster bombs were found by bomb defusing experts on the first day of the ceasefire near the government hospital, where the civilians were hiding. Experts say it will take months, if not years, to remove the unexploded bombs. A Chinese battalion attached to the U.N. forces in southern Lebanon was clearing 250 to 300 unexploded devices a day.
For the first time since the civil war in 1975, The Lebanese Army has returned to South Lebanon including Tebnine as one of the conditions of UN Resolution 1701
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 is a resolution that was intended to resolve the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict.It was unanimously approved by the United Nations Security Council on 11 August 2006. The Lebanese cabinet, which includes two members of Hezbollah, unanimously approved the...
.
Climate
The climate in the village varies by season. In the summer it never rains.Crusader Castle (Toron)
Hugh of Saint Omer
Hugh of Saint Omer was the Prince of Galilee and Lord of Tiberias from 1101 to his death. Fauquembergues and Saint Omer are both situated near each other...
, the governor of Tiberias built the Crusader Castle in the year 1105 to prepare for the siege of Tyre
Siege of Tyre
The Siege of Tyre was a siege of the city of Tyre, a strategic coastal base on the Mediterranean Sea, orchestrated by Alexander the Great in 332 BC during his campaigns against the Persians. The Macedonian army was unable to capture the city through conventional means because it was on an island...
but it was later conquered by Saladin
Saladin
Ṣalāḥ ad-Dīn Yūsuf ibn Ayyūb , better known in the Western world as Saladin, was an Arabized Kurdish Muslim, who became the first Sultan of Egypt and Syria, and founded the Ayyubid dynasty. He led Muslim and Arab opposition to the Franks and other European Crusaders in the Levant...
in 1187 and then taken back by the Franks in 1229. Mamluke Sultan Al-Zahir Baibars
Baibars
Baibars or Baybars , nicknamed Abu l-Futuh , was a Mamluk Sultan of Egypt. He was one of the commanders of the forces which inflicted a devastating defeat on the Seventh Crusade of King Louis IX of France and he led the vanguard of the Egyptian army at the Battle of Ain Jalut in 1260, which marked...
of Egypt finally conquered it in 1266 and it's been in Arab hands ever since.
The castle has been confused with other castles in the country e.g. Beaufort Castle
Beaufort Castle, Lebanon
Beaufort or Belfort The castle was named "bel fort" or "beau fort" by the Crusaders who occupied the castle in the twelfth century. Its Arabic name Qala'at ash-Shqif means Castle of the High Rock...
. But it is originally the Toron
Toron
Toron, now Tibnin or Tebnine in southern Lebanon, was a major Crusader castle, built in the Lebanon mountains on the road from Tyre to Damascus....
Castle. Today it is mostly referred to as "The Tebnine Castle".
The Crusader Castle has been used by many different factions and armies over the years because of its stragetic position overlooking miles of terrain.
With its historic castle and South Lebanon's history of occupiers and conquerors that include Alexander the Great, Tebnine has the potential to be a monumental tourist attraction in more peaceful times.