Bejdarfel
is a village in the middle of the prefecture of
Batroun, five miles from the local capital Batroun
city, twenty-three from Tripoli and a little over
forty from the Lebanese capital Beirut. It is surrounded
by Kour to the East, by Ejdebra to the West, Ibreen
to the North and Kfifan to the South, and stands1,200
feet above sea level. From Bejdarfel the view with
open horizons all around is superb, for one has
on every side a belvedere and an esplanade.
The origins of the name of the village, certainly
Syriac or Aramaic, are vague and uncertain, difficult
to analyze. However, one may consider several likely
interpretations, such as The Valley, The Crossroads,
The Robe, Health, God of Luck, Spring of Water,
Place of the Elephant, and so on.
Whatever the meaning of its name, the village stands
there, attractive on its hills, bathed in sunlight,
with superb residences and very proud of its history.
The easiest way to reach it is by the highway going
over Madfoun Bridge to Rashana, Smar Jbeil, and
Kfifan, or by the road from Batroun through Eddeh
and Kfifan.
Several hills underlie the village or surround it.
Many ruins date back to two thousand years before
Christ. Archeological remains, ancient constructions
and a number of sarcophagi are to be found at the
locality called Er-Rooss and there is a carved rock
in the form of a cow close by El-Masara’.
Of churches there are several, St. Anthony of Padua,
St. Nohra (The Light) and the parish church of St.
Pandalayon dating back to 1763. The patron of the
last named is invoked by women who are sterile they
come making vows and praying with fervor for the
Lord to give answer to their desires. One may also
visit the church of St. Lucian of Antioch, patron
for the eyes, built in 1880 during the Mutassarefat
regime.
There are several oil-presses, cellars thousands
of years old, the ancient cave called Madarat, valleys,
and springs of fresh water such as Ain Niha, Ain
Maria and Ain ed-Daya’a.
The village has abundant olive groves, vineyards
and fig orchards, as well as trees giving shade.
The region of Batroun has excellent soil for grapes
for wine and therefore “cellars” are increasing
in number with names that have a great reputation.
There are several fine residences in the village
belonging to people well off. Since the summer of
the year 2001 there has been a festival celebrated
on the village square of Bejdarfel, with dancing,
plays, and folksong. Young people from all around
take part in the festivities, entry being free.
Bejdarfel has a thoroughly modern infrastructure,
including roads, running water, telephone service,
electricity, doctors’ clinics, schools and municipal
services. The inhabitants divide their days between
their village and the towns where they work, mostly
Batroun, Jounieh and Beirut.
Joseph Matar
Translation from the French: K.J. Mortimer
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The Village of Bejdarfel: >> View
Movie << (2016-02-15)
