The quarters of Zrarieh from west to east are as follows:

al-Bass                                       Sahet al-Aarisheh
al-Tloul                                        Haret al-Siyyad
al-Fakhoureh                             al-Shannouq
Bou Aawada                              al-Hadatheh
Ras al-Sawwan                        Jall al-Zayyat     
al-Mrah                                       Jall al-Ghudeir         
al-Baydar                                    Taht al-Dyour   
Baydar Fakhri                            Thaalabieh al-Qadimeh
al-Aawjah                                   Thaalabieh al-Jdeideh
al-Mqaleaa                                 al-Jabbaneh     
al-Zaybaqieh                              Karm al-Jabbaneh
Jall al-Latsh                               al-Khneidiq
al-Mayshieh                                al-Aaqbeh
Dahr Haydous                            Karm al-Aarish                        
Jall al-Zwein                               al-Hamra
al-Bayyadeh                                
Sahat al-Birkeh
Haret al-Maaqab
al-Hadafeh


    Surrounding Zrarieh on all directions are hills, valleys, springs, and other features, the most significant of which are the following:

Wadi al-Wata: this wide, lush, and fertile valley is the town's breadbasket.  It is the "Bekaa valley of Zrarieh " and
is located east of Zrarieh, connecting it to the nearby towns of Ebba and Mazraat Dmoul; the valley terminates at
the al-Aarijeh and Qalaat al-Zaytouneh hills.  This valley is flanked by many hills and hedges, including Jalal
al-Shahbour, Mghairieh, al-Maasir, Karm al-Aarish, Dahr al-Toun, al-Mdaouar, Dahr Qreis, Jbal al-Hamam,
al-Burnus, Houtet al-Zaytoun, Umm al-Iiyal, Khallet al-Hjareh, al-Qaad, al-Raqouq, Khallet al-Bourj, and Qataa
al-Mreiseh.  The Wata valley also branches out into several smaller vales, including Wadi al-Qalaah, Wadi Ebba,
Wadi al-Laouz, Wadi Breiqaa, Wadi Qreis, and Wadi al-Bourjein.  Oranges, olives, almonds, wheat, cucumbers,
tomatoes, cabbage, melons, bananas, eggplants, cauliflower, lemon, and beans are just some of the products of
this fertile valley.  The main springs in the valley are Ain Wadi al-Laouz and Ain Mazraat Dmoul.  There is also a well
known as Bir Rqeyyeh at the fore of this valley.

Qalaat Mays: an old fort, possibly of Phoenician origin, that was used by the Crusaders and Muslim forces during
the thirteenth century.  This was once known as Qalaat Aboul Hisn and Qalaat al-Mout, or 'Fortress of Death.'  It
overlooks the Wadi al-Wata and Wadi Juhannam valleys, and the small gulleys of Khallet al-Mishmisheh and Khallet
al-Shuaeir.  A small farm once flourished here that was part of qaza Nabatieh.

Ras al-Franj, Ras al-Lubneh, and Ras al-Dheeb: three hills below Qalaat Mays which were the scenes of several
battles between the Crusaders and Islamic forces under Saladin.

Dahr Saadeh: a hilly area to the southeast of Wadi al-Wata that is home to many orchards and groves and is fed by
the spring Ain Layla.

Mghairieh: ancient ruins to the east of al-Zrariyeh, where many caves and underground tunnels are found.

Wadi Juhannam: a narrow, deep valley that was once so heavily forested that no one could pass through without
becoming entangled and where many wild animals roamed, hence the name.  It also contains a seasonal river
known as the Shaghour that empties out into the sea at Aboul Aswad.  Wadi Juhannam runs north of Zrarieh and
is known to be the haven of hyenas, especially in the areas of Jall al-Dheeb, al-Hojeij, Dahr al-Ghouleh, Jouar al-Melh, and Aarid al-Mghayer.

Dahr Haydous and Dahr Abd al-Wahed: two grassy regions located between the town of Zrarieh proper and Wadi
Juhannam.

Khallet Bou Ali Asaad, Khallet al-Hajjeh Umm Jawad, Khallet Hussein Hadi, Khallet Elias, and Jall Moufi: five vales
bisecting the eastern portion of Zrarieh town limits.

Wadi Khalil: a wide, mysterious limestone valley to the west that winds its way north of the villages of Arzay and
Kharayeb, reaching to the coastline.  Herds of wild boar are often spotted here.  The valley contains the spring Ain
Wadi Khalil and leads to the small farms of Mazraat al-Ebb and Mazraat al-Shallaleh.  Wadi Kharayeb branches out of
Wadi Khalil.  Two ruins, known as al-Breikat and Khirbet Khalil, dot the floor of this valley.

al-Saoudeh: a large hill flanking Wadi Khalil to the northeast.  It also overlooks Wadi al-Shallaleh on the other side.  

Khallet al-Labbad, Khallet al-Hamra, Jalal al-Aarisheh, and Jall Mousa Hamedi: areas to the west of the al-Baydar
region where the well Bir Umm Hussein is located.

Wadi al-Ain: a steep-sided valley to the southeast that possesses three large springs, Ain al-Hajj Hasan, Ain
al-Balad, and Ain Haour, and which eventually feeds into the Litani River.  The large mountain overlooking this
valley is known as Jabal al-Ain.

Ras al-Nahr: a group of steep hills south of Zrarieh, overlooking the Litani River.  These hills possess the large
spring known as al-Nabaa.

Khallet al-Waraq and Marj al-Asfar: a vale and plain extending from Ain Haour to the Litani River.

Aaqbet al-Nahr: a stony hill overlooking the Litani River, to the south of the town.

Dahr al-Bayyad and Dahr al-Naeem: two plains located at the top of Jabal al-Ain.

al-Qaddam: a massif between Jabal al-Ain and the Litani River.

Qanat al-Litani (the Litani Canal): an aqueduct that starts from Zrarieh and curves northward, reaching
Ghazieh near Sidon.  This canal provides residents of the region with water.

al-Qatiaa: the name given to a stretch of land south of the Litani River that belongs to Zrarieh.  This area lies close
to the villages of Bedias and Hallousieh and to the hills of Aarid al-Nimreh and al-Qaaqour.  The twin mills of
Tahounet al-Derzieh and Tahounet al-Mghairieh are located off the banks of the Litani River.  

al-Hamra: a region in the east named for its fertile red soil and where many residents are now choosing to live.

Dahr al-Haoua: a grassy area to the southwest, so-named because of the strong winds that prevail there.  A small
farm known as Mazraat al-Hamari lies there, south of the nearby village of Arzay.

Dahr Deir Mimas: an ancient area in the west that one encounters just before entering the town.  Here, ruins of an
ancient old temple once stood.

al-Dabasheh: a hill standing opposite to that of Dahr Deir Mimas, and overlooking the vale known as Khallet
al-Dabasheh.

al-Snaiber and al-Mqashbreh: two quiet grassy areas in the northwest, separating Zrarieh from its neighboring
town of Ansar.  The natural springs of Ain al-Teen and Ain al-Snaiber are located here.  In addition, two valleys by
the names of Wadi al-Snaiber and Wadi al-Mqashbreh wind their way towards the larger Wadi Khalil valley.  The
ruins of three ancient villages are located here: al-Snaiber, al-Mqashbreh, and al-Shimalieh.  By taking the
al-Snaiber road, one may reach the farm Mazraat Kaouthariet al-Ruzz.

Qalaat Yaloush: a ruined fortress also known as Bourj Yaloush or al-Yaloushi (named after a fourteenth century
renegade) that once opposed that of Qalaat Mays.  It is situated south of the Hamra region, overlooking the spring
Ain Yaloush and the three valleys of Wadi Yaloush, Wadi Sir, and Wadi Shamali which separate the land of
Zrarieh from the towns of Sir al-Gharbieh and Kfar Sir.  Other hills in the area include Aarid al-Baroud, Asmas,
and Dahr Qalaat al-Hosn (near Sir to the south) and Jabal Abu Ghabra, al-Dahr, Haqlet al-Saoudeh, al-Rouaiseh, and
Qalaat al-Qabr (near Kafr Sir to the southeast).

Wadi Shahrour: a quiet valley branching out of the larger Juhannam valley in the north.  It is named for the
blackbirds that flourish there.

Ard Ansar: the name given to a series of hills and valleys north of Zrarieh, close to the neighboring town of
Ansar.  The hills al-Darajeh, al-Saneaah, and al-Mrah lead into Wadi Ansar, a major valley there.  The spring Ain
al-Sayegh lies there.

Nebi Tahir al-Khalil: a tomb of an ancient and respected sage near the Zrarieh cemetery.

Tallatein ("Two Mounds"): a site in the southwest Dabasheh area where it is said that a passing prophet on
horseback once asked a farmer for some of his hay in order to feed the horse.  The hay, lumped in two mounds,
was not shared and after the prophet departed, it is said that the farmer found his two mounds of hay transformed
into two mounds of dirt.

Sakhr Imam Ali: a site also in the Dabasheh area where it is said that Ali ibn Abi Talib ('alayhi al-salam) once prayed
upon a boulder.  Handprints and the imprint of a forehead visible on the boulder are said to be those of the Imam.

Other topographical features include Khallet Bou Mousa, Dahr al-Maidan, Ras al-Sayyed, Ras al-Mazraah, and Ras
al-Ruzz (collectively known as the Ruous), Mgharet Jomaa, Ain Bou Abdallah (near the Litani River), and others...


THE PEOPLE

    Zrarieh is a large population center and is home to numerous families.  Nearly half of Zrarieh's sons and daughters are expatriates, living abroad in many different countries, but especially in the nations of West Africa, the Americas, the Arabian Gulf States, and Europe.  The total population of Zrarieh,  
including all those living abroad, surpasses twenty thousand.  The Zorkot and Mroueh families are the
largest in the town.  A list of all families present in Zrarieh is given below:

Zorkot
Mroueh
Fakhri
Taleb
Jomaa
Hashem
Badreddine
El-Akhdar
Tarraf
El-Assaad
Kojok
Bilal
Jezzini
Khalil
Mohieddine
Sharafeddine
Khashman
Mteirek
Saheli
Taan
Sharara
Abdel Khalek
Suleiman
Ruslan
Shakrani
Saleh
Omeis
El-Ajami
Matar
Daher
Hijazi
Kassab
Shawish
Harb
Hallal
El-Kaafarani
Abdel Nebi
Wehbi
Hmadi
Baghdadi
Nejdi
Dia
Zein el-Abideen
Haidari
Souri

THE HISTORY

    Zrarieh has perhaps been continuously inhabited since the Stone Age.  It was probably originally established by the Canaanites (i.e. Phoenicans) around 2000 B.C. and was actually, throughout its early history, not a single village but rather a group of villages.  These villages, of which all are now relics of the past except for Zrarieh, included al-Sukeineh, Jadroun, Deir Mimas, Khirbet Khalil, al-Breikat, al-Snaiber, al-Mqashbreh, al-Shimalieh, Mghairieh, Mays, Brak al-Zaour, al-Mashaarani, Bourj Yaloush, Qozhieh, al-Mighraqeh, Maaiz al-Gharbieh, Shatwiet al-Aarban, Samtiet al-Aarban, al-Dabbouseh, Dayr Qubbeh, and Mreiseaa.  Of all the villages mentioned, Mghairieh seems to be the oldest and may actually date back to the days of the Neandertals.
    According to Hasan Naameh in his book, Mawsouaat al-Mudun wa al-Qura al-Lubnanieh, the name of Zrarieh could have been derived from the Syriac 'dardare,' denoting warriors.  Hence, the ancient name of Zrarieh may have been Dardaraya.  Over the ages, Zrarieh has been witness to the Aramaeans, Egyptians, Hittites, Babylonians, Assyrians, Persians, Nabataeans, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Islamic Arabs, Christian Crusaders, Mamluks, Ottomans, French, Israelis, and others who have passed through the area and left their mark.


Zrarieh  is home to many businesses, including gas stations,
pharmacies, shops, produce markets, construction, citrus groves, and
poultry farms. The town boasts five mosques, two husseiniehs, and a
spacious town square.   
The Zorkots and Mrouehs are active in Zrarieh politics.  Today, the mayor
of the town is Ahmad Mustafa Zorkot.  Hajj Ahmad Mustafa has contributed
much to the town's welfare.  He has donated his own time and money to
the advancement of Zrarieh and its residents.  Specifically, he has
constructed a new as well as improving the existing water system.  The
Hajj has also built a mosque, several schools, and has made a difference
in the lives of so many residents.  
Zrarieh has many mosques, one in each quarter: Bou Aawada, Ras
al-Sawwan, Sahet al-Aarisheh, Sahet al-Birkeh, and al-Hamra.  The town
clerics are Sheikh Hussein Baghdadi and Sheikh Ghaleb Tarraf, who are
active in religious issues in the town and the neighboring area.  
ZRARIEH
This view shows Zrarieh as seen from the east.  At the extreme right, Qalaat Mays looms on the horizon, overlooking
Wadi Juhannam.  At the extreme left is the town itself, overlooking Wadi al-Wata.  In the foreground lies the area known
as al-Hamra.  



The Zorkots are descended from the Ayyad tribe, who hailed from the island of Jerba off Tunisia, arriving in Zrarieh in the 1600s
(see the Genealogy page for more information)

The Mrouehs originally came from Iraq and are descendants of the south Arabian tribe of Hamadan, reaching the town sometime in the
1600s (see the Mroueh website for more information)

The Fakhris/Talebs arrived in the 1500s from the Bekaa valley, originally from the Hamadeh family, while the Talebs came from Bourj Rahhal

The Jomaas hold one of three possible origins: 1) a subsept of the Musaylam tribe of Iraq, 2) a clan of the al-Rus al-Wild Fadaan sept of the
Aanazeh tribe of Syria, or 3) descendants of the Bou Jomaa family of the Bou Layl tribe in Aleppo, Syria

The Hashems and Badreddines and Jawhars are one and the same family and are descended from Prophet Muhammad's (alayhi
al-salam) Hashem clan of the north Arabian tribe of Quraysh; they are originally sayyeds from the Zahra family in Aleppo, Syria   

The El-Akhdars are descended from Qahtanite Arab tribes originating in Iraq; the name could be derived from Jabal al-Akhdar in Oman

The Taans, Tarrafs, and Kojoks constitute one family and are originally Turks who arrived to Zrarieh from Diyarbakr, Turkey in the
1800s (during the Ottoman era)

The El-Assaads  were once known as the Ali al-Saghir family, a once powerful family in Jabal Amel, and are descendants of the Bani
Sleim sept of the Aanazeh tribe

The Bilals trace their name to the first muezzin and black African convert to Islam, Bilal ibn Rabah and from the tribe known as Bani Bilal

The Jezzinis are from the Lebanese city of Jezzine and came, along with the Sharara, Mroueh, and Mohieddine families, to Zrarieh in
the 1600s

The Khalils, along with the El-Zein family, are descended from one of Saladin's generals in charge of Tibnine fortress during the 1200s.  
Their lineage goes back to the Arab tribes of Aws and Khazraj

The Mohieddines were once known as the Abi Jamiaa family and hailed from al-Najaf in Iraq.  They are said to be descended from al-Harith
al-Hamadani, a companion of the Imam Ali, and are in turn related to the Sharara, Jezzini, and Mroueh families

The Sharafeddines are a sayyed family who came from Baghdad and are descendants of Abu Muhammad Ibrahim ibn Zein al-Abideen
(1620-1669)

The Khashmans hold one of two possible origins: 1) Turkish or Circassian ancestry or 2) descendants of the Khashman clan of Bani
Sleim in the Hijaz, coming to Lebanon through Jordan

The Mteireks have three possible origins: 1) Turks, 2) Persians, or 3) of the Arab tribe of Harithah who arrived in Lebanon in the 1400s
under the leadership of Mteirek ibn Qasim ibn Mteirek

The Sahelis are originally from the coastal villages of Acre (Akka) in Palestine; they are recently from Hermel in the Bekaa Valley

The Shararas originally came from Jezzine and their ancestry can be traced back to the Shararat Arabs of Iraq who in turn are of the
Shammar Tayyi and Bani Aabs tribes of the Hijaz

The Abdel Khaleks are originally from the Bani Khamees tribe

The Suleimans are descendants of the Bani Asad tribe from Iraq

The Ruslans are of Turkish origin with the name 'aslan' meaning lion or brave person.  They came to Zrarieh from the town of Taibeh

The Salehs are descendants of the Bani Saleh tribe from the city of Dayr al-Zaour in Syria, who in turn originally came from Iraq

The Omeis family is originally from the Bekaa Valley, taking its name from the father-in-law of Jaafar ibn Abi Talib.  
They came to Zrarieh from the town of Ebba

The El-Ajamis hold one of three possible origins: 1) Persians, 2) Arabs from the Ajami sept of the Khafajeh tribe of al-Hilla in Iraq, or 3)
descendants of one of Saladin's biographers, Kamal al-Din al-Ajami (1223-1268), who died in Sour

The Matars are descendants of the south Arabian tribe of Bani Matar     

The Hijazis are descendants of Arab tribesmen who hailed from the Hijaz area in modern Saudi Arabia.  This family came to Lebanon
from the city of Karak in Jordan

The Dahers and Shakranis are probably descendants of local inhabitants.  The family name denotes a mountain-dwelling person.  This
family came to al-Zrarieh from the town of Toura

The Shawish family are descendants of Turks who settled during the Ottoman era.  The family name was changed from Jawish to
Shawish

The Harbs are descended from the renowned Arab tribe of Bani Harb that came to Lebanon from the Nejd in modern Saudi Arabia

The Hallals are probably descended from the old Arab tribe of Muaadd   

The Kassabs perhaps came from the village of Teir Dibba, south of the Litani River

The Baghdadis are a religious family, originally from Iraq, that came to Zrarieh from Ansar via Kharayeb

The Hmadis are originally from Jbail and were once an influential family in Baalbek; they recently came to Zrarieh from Majdel Silm

The Wehbis are a numerous family across Lebanon, coming originally from Syria

The Dias are originally Arabs of the Bani Dia tribe from Iraq, recently coming to Zrarieh from the village of Sir al-Gharbieh

The El-Kaafaranis came from the town of Qaafrine in the Bekaa Valley.  They came recently to Zrarieh from Bourj Rahhal

The Zein el-Abideens are descendants of Qurayshite Arabs hailing from the Hijaz and can be traced to Ali Zein al-Abideen, the fourth imam

The Haidaris are Palestinians who came to Lebanon relatively recently.  They hail from Galilee

The Souris are Syrians who are now living in Zrarieh
* Most of the above information was gathered from Ahmad Abu Saad's book Mujam al-Ailat...
All material above and below is copyrighted to Houssein A. Zorkot © 2004-2006.  Reproduction can
only be granted with permission from this author.  All rights reserved.










THE GEOLOGY AND WILDLIFE

    Zrarieh is unique in the sense that it lies at a geological intersection.  If one were to look at a map
of the town and its surrounding lands, they will see that there are at least four major soil/rock types.  
The Wadi Khalil-Dahr al Haoua area in the west consists of coastal limestone rocks dating to the
Miocene.  The al-Snaiber-Wadi Juhannam-Ard Ansar region to the north consists of chalky
limestones from the Upper Cretaceous.  To the south and east, in the Wadi al-Ain-Wadi al Wata
area, fluvo-deltaic sandstones predominate and date back to the Middle Cretaceous.  These
sandstones are often teeming with iron ore and are perfect for cultivation. Finally, a small geological
enclave in the Hamra area, isolated from much larger deposits in Houleh and the Golan, consists of
volcanic basalts from the Upper Cenozoic.  A geological anticline system runs from the Qana region
into the Litani, winding through the Wadi al Ain-Wadi al Wata valleys and ultimately terminating at
Jbaa in the Iqlim al-Tuffah area.     
    The land of Zrarieh is rich in flora and fauna.  A few hundred years ago, vast forests covered
much of the area.  However, with a rise in population and logging practices, forests have became
much more restricted in distribution.  But with an improvement in government regulations, forests
appear to be on the rebound.  There are two major forests around Zrarieh: one consisting largely
of oak (Lebanon Oak-Quercus libani, Vallonea oak-Q. macrolepis, Palestine oak-Q. calliprinos,
Kermes oak-Q. coccifera, Gall oak-Q. infectoria, and Cork oak-Q. suber) in the Qalaat Mays-Wadi
Juhannam region and the second comprising cypress-oak-pine-shrub-carob in the Wadi Khalil-al
Snaiber-al Mqashbreh region.  The latter forest is represented by hallmark species such as maritime
pine (Pinus maritima), evergreen oak (Quercus pseudococcifera), various species of Cupressaceae,
carob (Ceratonia siliqua), sycamore fig (Ficus sycamorus), lentisk (Pistacia lentisca), oleander
(Nerium oleander), bay (Laurus nobilis), arbutus (Arbutus andrachne), myrtle (Myrtus communis),
barberry (Berberis sp.), Styrax sp., Rhododendron sp., bramble (Rubus sp.), caper plant (Capparis
spinosa), holly (Ilex sp.), and honeysuckle (Lonicera sp.).      
    In terms of large mammals, Syrian elephants died out nearly two thousand years ago, tigers became
extinct fifteen hundred years ago, lions in the thirteenth century, brown bears in the eighteenth
century, gazelles and ibex in the nineteenth century, leopards and cheetahs one hundred years
ago, and wolves in the last fifty years or so.  Today, the largest mammal is the striped hyena
(Hyaena hyaena), known as the dabaa.  This solitary, nocturnal animal is relatively common around
Zrarieh and can be found living in the caves of each major valley in the area (especially in Wadi
Juhannam).  There is also a large canid known to the locals as mjarrieh (on account of its howling)
that fits the description of the Cape hunting dog (Lycaon pictus)--- but I cannot independently
confirm its existence in the area.  Other mammals frequently seen include golden jackals (Canis
aureus), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), badgers (Meles meles), ratels (Mellivora capensis)---- whose
coughing-like calls can be heard during evening hours, stone martens (Martes foina), least weasels
(Mustela nivalis), European polecats (Mustela putorius), European genets (Genetta genetta),
caracals (Caracal caracal), wild cats (Felis sylvestris), swamp cats (Felis chaus)---- especially on the
banks of the Litani, Cape hares (Lepus capensis), Persian squirrels (Sciurus anomalus)---- common
around Qal’at Mays, Indian porcupines (Hystrix indica), fat dormice (Myoxus glis), lesser mole rats
(Spalax leucodon), field mice (Apodemus mystacinus), Tristram’s jird (Meriones tristrami), Levant
voles (Microtus guentheri), European moles (Talpa europaea), eastern hedgehogs (Erinaceus
concolor), lesser white-toothed shrews (Crocidura suaveolens), pipistrelle bats (Pipistrellus
pipistrellus) as well as about 20 other species of bats,  Syrian hyrax (Hyrax syriaca), and wild boars
(Sus scrofa)--- especially in the Wadi Khalil valley.  Otters (Lutra lutra) once thrived around the Litani
River but it is not clear as to whether they still exist there today.
    Nearly 250 bird species are known to either permanently nest, to temporarily nest, or to pass
through Zrarieh along a migratory route.  Among the more familiar species: Egyptian vultures
(Neophron percnopterus), golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), steppe eagles (Aquila nipalensis),
marsh harriers (Circus aeruginosus), Montagu’s harriers (Circus pygargus), European honey
buzzards (Pernis apivorus), kestrels (Falco tinnunculus), chukars (Alectoris chukar), quails
(Coturnix coturnix)---- especially in al-Snaiber and al-Mqashbreh, pin-tailed sandgrouse (Pterocles
alchata), turtle doves (Streptopelia turtur), collared doves (Streptopelia decaocto), short-eared owls
(Asio flammeus)--- common in Wadi Juhannam, European rollers (Coracias garrulus), European bee-
eaters (Merops apiaster), hoopoes (Upupa epops), crested larks (Galerida cristata), short-toed larks
(Calandrella brachydactyla), barn swallows (Hirundo rustica), tawny pipits (Anthus campestris), white
wagtails (Motacilla alba), winter wrens (Troglodytes troglodytes), European robins (Erithacus
rubecula), nightingales (Luscinia megarhynchos), northern wheatears (Oenanthe oenanthe),
stonechats (Saxicola torquata), song thrushes (Turdus philomelos), blackbirds (Turdus merula),
blackcaps (Sylvia atricapilla), European goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis)---- prevalent in Wadi al-
Wata and Qalaat Mays, graceful prinias (Prinia gracilis)---- perhaps one of the most common species
found, olivaceous warblers (Hippolais pallida), chiffchaffs (Phylloscopus collybita), goldcrests
(Regulus regulus), Palestine sunbirds (Nectarinia osea), pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca),
sombre tits (Parus lugubris), Isabelline shrikes (Lanius isabellinus), grey shrikes (Lanius excubitor),
Eurasian jays (Garrulus glandarius), rooks (Corvus frugilegus), ravens (Corvus corax), starlings
(Sturnus vulgaris), golden orioles (Oriolus oriolus), sparrows (Passer domesticus), reed buntings
(Emberiza schoeniclus), and a plethora of others.  The Litani River ecosystem is also home to a
variety of avian species, including great crested grebes
(Podiceps cristatus), Dalmatian pelicans (Pelecanus crispus), great cormorants (Phalacrocorax
carbo), great bitterns (Botaurus stellaris), night herons (Nycticorax nycticorax), cattle egrets
(Bubulcus ibis), white storks (Ciconia ciconia), Eurasian wigeons (Anas penelope), teals (Anas
crecca), osprey (Pandion heliaetus), water rails (Rallus aquaticus), moorhens (Gallinula chloropus),
cranes (Grus grus), and others
    When one takes a walk through Zrarieh’s wilderness during the summer months, they will surely
encounter reptiles basking out in the sun.  Among the most frequently observed reptiles are
Hermann’s tortoises (Testudo hermanni), spur-thighed tortoises (Testudo graeca), Caspian marsh
turtles (Mauremys caspica), wall lizards (Podarcis sp.), green lizards (Lacerta trilineata), ocellated
skinks (Chalcides ocellatus), Schneider’s skinks (Eumeces schneideri), harduns (Laudakia stellio),
European chameleons (Chamaeleo chamaeleon), Levant fan-fingered geckos (Ptyodactylus
puiseuxi), Kotschy’s geckos (Cyrtopodion kotschyi), Turkish geckos (Hemidactylus turcicus), worm
snakes (Typhlops vermicularis), large whip snakes (Coluber jugularis), dice snakes (Natrix
tesselata), black-headed ground snakes (Rhynchocalamus melanocephalus), and so on.  There are
several species of poisonous snakes that are also to be found here: cat snakes (Telescopus fallax),
Montpellier’s snakes (Malpolon monspessulanus), Palestine vipers (Vipera palestinae), Levant
vipers (Vipera lebetina), and Bornmueller’s vipers (Vipera bornmuelleri).  In addition, Zrarieh’s
springs, wells, and rivers are home to a multitude of amphibians, among the more abundant species
are European fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra), Mediterranean tree frogs (Hyla savignyi),
and green toads (Bufo viridis).
    The Litani River is home to several species of freshwater fish, most notably the blenny (Blennius
lupulus), Scaphiodon capoeta, European eel (Anguilla microptera), rock goby (Gobius paganellus),
golden grey mullet (Liza aurata), thinlip mullet (Liza ramado), thicklip grey mullet (Chelon labrossus),
flathead mullet (Mugil cephalus), Angora loach (Nemacheilus angorae), redbelly tilapia (Tilapia zillii),
east Atlantic peacock wrasse (Symphodus tinca), sturgeon (Acipenser sturio), and big-scale sand
smelt (Atherina boyeri).  The river is also lush with communities of river mussels (Vulsella lingulata)
and an assortment of crayfish species.  Furthermore, bluish-green colonies of photosynthetic algae
and cyanobacteria can be seen on the water surface.  Mollusks are also very common in the area,
especially land snails and slugs.  As for insects, arachnids, crustaceans, and annelids, there are
tens of thousands (possibly even hundreds of thousands) of species ranging from tiny mites to
large black poisonous scorpions, whipscorpions, spiders, Mediterranean tarantulas, sowbugs,
millipedes, centipedes, leeches, and earthworms; silverfish, earwigs, honey bees, bumblebees,
wasps, grasshoppers, crickets, locusts, mantids, scarab beetles, dung beetles, bedbugs, mole
crickets, longhorns, stinkbugs, ladybirds, cochineal worms, boll weevils, cotton weevils, ants,
leafhoppers, aphids, butterflies, moths, gnats, midges, fireflies, cicadas, cankerworms, blowflies,
chinchbugs, chervils, cockchafers, gallflies, ichneumon flies, caddis flies, froghoppers, stick
insects, glowworms, termites, scorpionflies, tree hoppers, pill bugs, spittlebugs, craneflies, gadflies,
botflies, dragonflies, and much more.        
    The flora of Zrarieh is highly varied, with thousands of species of wildflowers and thistles
prevalent in the hills and valleys.  Some of the more common ones are illustrated above:  hyacinths,
tulips, ranunculi, gladioli, orchids, croci, amaranths, arums, amaryllids, cyclamens, jasmines, lilies,
irises, clematids, rhododendrons, astragali, hyssops, hops, catmints, daisies, fenugreeks, sorrels,
trefoils, mallows, hellebores, mustards, hennas, marshmallows, heaths, heathers, galingales,
saffrons, vetches, dalilias, mints, sages, mahalebs, lablabs, acanthi, thistles, flaxes, cockscombs,
wintercherries, mistletoes, nightshades, grape vines, asafoetida plants, brambles, wolfsbanes,
lupines, tamarisks, wintercesses, bougainvilleas, corncockles, rues, barleys, fennels, wormwoods,
aniseeds, digitalises, soapworts, thymes, peonies, fleaworts, parsleys, purslanes, glassworts,
camomiles, okras, linseeds, belladonnas, sensitive plants, andromedas, creepers, reeds, rushes,
mat sedges, foxtail grasses, beard grasses, bulrushes, rhubarbs, licorice, fleabanes, cranesbills,
tamarinds, eglantines, lentils, buckthorns, safflowers, knotgrasses, sea squills, spiderworts,
pellitories, larkspurs, cacalias, centauries, cubebs, pennyroyals, bitter vetches, canellas, cloves,
water troughs, turmerics, caraways, maidenhairs, hartworts, lion's leaves, bear's feet, lion's tails,
moonworts, spearmints, loofahs, medlars, goosefeet, dog-grasses, marjorams, navelworts, hare's
ears, gardenias, dracunculi, lavenders, liverworts, shamrocks, wax myrtles, woodbines, woodruffs,
woodwaxens, yarrows, berghamots, valerians, abutilons, aconites, adder's-tongues, adam's
needles, anemones, abelmoschi, blackberries, raspberries, galingales, olibanums, spinach,
sumachs, tamarinds, taraxacums, scallions, cumins, strawberries, oats, maize, hollyhocks,
convolvuli, valerians, cowbanes, dogbanes, henbanes, multiflora roses, red linum, pheasant's eye,
guelder roses, antirrhinums, chrysanthemums, campanulas, mandrakes, and a host of others.  
There are four major scrub types in the area: qindoul (gorse), aajram, ballan, and aalleiq (barberry).  
There are also very common edible plants, known to the locals as ilt and kammoun, that are often a
part of the staple diet.  Fruit-trees include figs, mulberries, oranges, lemons, pomegranates, loquats,
jujubes, serviceberries, date palms, pears, etc.  Other plants commonly seen in the hinterlands
include several varieties of lichens, mosses, ferns, and fungi (mushrooms, toadstools, cantrelles,
etc).


THE VICINITY

    The following is some information on nearby towns and villages whose residents hold special
relationships with those of Zrarieh, whether by way of shared history, marriage, or commerce.

Places north of the Litani River:

ARZAY- a village just west of Zrarieh.  It is home to the Qansouh, Mteirek, Jezzini, Hammoud,
Shanboura, Mroueh, Hamadeh, Khashman, Diab, Sharqawi, Akoush, Zorkot, Khalil, and Nassar
families.

KHARAYEB- a town to the west of Zrarieh, directly north of Arzay.  It is home to the Dohaini,
Dirr, Akoush, Shanboura, Hamadeh,  Shouman, El-Akhdar, Hamdan, Ezzeddine, Sbeiti, Hammoud, al-
Qadi, Kashakesh, and Hijazi families.

ANSAR- a town just north of Zrarieh.  It is home to the Fayyad, Asi, Mansour, Lahhaf, Kobeissi,
Shaaban, Hazer, Fawwaz, Sheaitani, Jaffal, Saabi, Wehbi, Nawfal, Mkhadder, Roumi, Dagher, El-
Qadi, Soueidan, Lamaa, Hashem, Sharaf, Ibrahim, Hazem, Baikan, Khalil, Baghdadi, Ismail, al-
Haddad, Masri, Zorkot, Melhem, Younes, Tamer, al-Ghoul, Mroueh, and Safawi families.  Adjacent
to Ansar are the farms Mazraat Senai, Mazraat Bsaffour, and Mazraat Shalbaal.

BREIQAA- a village just east of Zrarieh.  It is home to the Hojeij, Murad, Tarraf, Saad, Mohamed
Qassem Yousef, Khreibi, Damen, Asfour, Khreibani, Ezzeddine, Hawi, Hassawi, Jibril, Fahas, Abu
Ahmed, Bakri, and Kojok families.

SIR AL-GHARBIEH- a village to the southeast of Zrarieh.  It is home to the Maatouk, Dia, Bakri,
Fawwaz, Aoud, Gheith, Qseibani, Koheil, El-Saghir, Raad, Abdel Hak, and Sayegh families.

AL-QSAIBEH- a town to the east that has a thriving tobacco business.  The town also has a large
spring known as al-Nabaa.  Al-Qsaibeh is home to the Mansour, Yassine, Mahdi, Haidar, Muslim,
Seaiyid, Nejm, Jaffal, Suleiman, Shamseddine, Sayegh, Abdallah, Younes, Ollaik, Merhi, Khalil, and
Fayyad families.

EBBA- a town at the end of the Wadi al-Wata valley in the northeast, beyond the farm Mazraat
Dmoul.  This town, unlike the rest, is situated on the valley floor and not on a hilltop (hence the
name).  It is home to the Tarhini, Omeis, Hariri, Kawouk, and al-Moallem families.

ADCHIT AL-SHAQIF- a town in the east, on the road to Nabatieh.  Home to the Hayek, Safa,
Saleh, Yassine, Khreibani, Abdallah, Nasser, Tarhini, and Zreik families.

KFAR SIR- a town to the east, adjacent to al-Qsaibeh.  It is home to the Komeiha, Sbeiti, Msheimish,
Rihane, Skafi, Jaffal, Salhab, Badreddine, Fneish, Issa, Sweif, Naameh, Rizk, Shami, Dia, Saabi,
Nisr, Noureddine, Rida, Yassine, Hassawi, Daghman, Bdeir, Shahine, and Younes families.

QAQAAIET AL-JISR- a town in the east, being home to the Sbeiti, Halawi, Salameh, Krayyani,
Salloum, Makki, Amrou, Mahdi, Haidar, Sabra, Shmeisani, and Hojaila families.  The farms of al-
Jawharieh, al-Ajnahieh, and Kfar Dajjal lie close to this town.

ADLOUN- a coastal town in the west, in the area historically known as Iqlim al-Shoumar.  It is home
to the Wehbi, Ghazzali, Tahhan, Nejme, Mteirek, Abboud, Hayek, Khazem, Dabbous, Saad,
Khairallah, Awada, Awala, Salman, Alawieh, Atwi, Safedi, Noureddine, Salloub, and Haji families.

INSARIEH- a town to the northwest of Zrarieh, overlooking the Dahr al-Mghar hills.  The
town is home to the Farhat, Fakih, Shahadeh, Yassine, Siblini, Nasser, Daamoush, Rmeih, Jundi,
Zaghir, Jaber, Zeineddine, Barakat, Khazaal, Kenyar, and El-Arab families.

Other villages in Iqlim al-Shoumar include: Sakanieh, Blatet al-Jamjeem, Jamjeem al-Tahta, Mazraat
al-Omraniyeh, Kafr Baddeh, Mazraat al-Wasta, Matariet al-Shoumar, Mazraat al-Aaithanieh,
Mazraat Ain al-Zarqa, Mazraat Bsaileh, Aboul Aswad, Abu Zayd, Mazraat al-Harithieh, Mazraat al-
Mheidleh, al-Nahhouleh, Mazraat al-Usamiyat, Dayr Taqla, Mazraat al-Nebi Sari, Mazraat al-Tibna,
Mazraat al-Iskandarouneh, Mazraat al-Qrayeh, Mazraat al-Daoudieh, Mazraat al-Loubyeh, and
Khirbet al-Doueir.

Places south of the Litani River:

BEDIAS- a village to the southwest, home to the Qaafarani, Safieddine, Khalil, Shaalan, Haidar,
Nahhas, and Jaradi families.

HALLOUSIEH- a village to the south, home to the Ayyad, Saadi, Zaraket, Daher, al-Mahmoud,
Hamd, Ashmar, Mounes, Lahhaf, Qanouni, Sirhal, Zaidan, Mkanna, Ghassani, Shaalan, Shalhoub,
Maanna, Safieddine, Khamees, El-Kurr (al-Hammoudi), Fneish, and Harb families.  This village was
once known as "al-Hallalees" because it consisted of two conjoined villages, Hallousiet al-Tahta
and Halluosiet al-Fawqa.

TEIR FILSAY- a village to the southeast, directly above the Litani River.  It is home to the
Shalhoub, Mazeh, Rida, Ayyad, Issa, Maanna, Maatouk (al-Qurami), al-Hadi, Sultan, Nasser, Baraq,
Mustafa, and El-Kurr families.




Copyrighted to Houssein A. Zorkot 2004-2006. All rights reserved



For more information, visit:
QUICK FACTS



Town: Zrarieh



Province: Janoub
Lubnan (South
Lebanon)



District:
Sidon/al-Zahrani



Alternate spellings:
Zrarie, Zrariyah,
Zrariyeh, Ez
Zrariye, and
Zrariah



Total population:
20,000



Resident population:
12,000



Expatriate
population: 8,000



Largest families:
Zorkot &
Mroueh



Mosques: 5



Husseiniehs: 2



Schools: 6



Town Clubs:
Zrarieh Youth
Club/Soccer team,
Women's
Organization



Souq day: Thursday



Annual event:
Ashoura procession



Approximate land
area: 18 sq km (one
of the largest in
South Lebanon)



Major crops:
oranges, olives



Natural springs: 13



Valleys: 17



Permanent river:
Litani (Leontes)



Seasonal streams:
Shaghour (Nahr
Aboul Aswad), Wadi
Khalil



Ancient sites:
Mghairieh
caves/pottery,
Aarid al-Mghayer
caverns, Qalaat
Mays fortress, Bourj
Yaloush fortress,
Deir Mimas temple,
Nabi Tahir al-Khalil
tomb,  Tallatein
mounds, Sakhr
Imam Ali boulder



Elevation points:
Dahr Deir Mimas-
304 m, Tloul- 375
m (highest point),
Wadi Khalil- 50 m
(lowest land point),
Dahr Haydous- 324
m, Wadi al Wata-
205 m, Bourj Yaloush-
320 m, Qalaat
Mays- 322 m



Approximate
distances from:
Beirut- 86 km,
Sidon- 42 km,
Sour- 22 km,
Nabatieh- 12
km, Mediterranean
Sea- 9 km, Litani
River- 2 to 4 km
The Litani River
is an integral part
of Zrarieh.  The
river not only
contains a rich
ecosystem of plants
and animals, but
also serves as a
recreational
destination for both
residents and non-
residents alike.
 The relationship
between the river
and the town are
so intertwined, that
the strip of the
Litani south of
Zrarieh is widely
known as "Nahr
Zrarieh."  To reach
the river, take the
main road east
through the
town until reaching
the road
"Tareeq al-Nahr,"
just before entering
al-Hamra.  Continue
south down this road
until reaching
the river.  Here,
as well as other
spots along the
length of
the river,
one will find
resorts for swimming
and picknicking.


The olive business is
important to
Zrarieh.  There is
an olive press
which yields olive oil in
al-Hamra.

Moreover, the
town has a
wheat grinder in Taht
al-Dyour and many
mills
as well.  

As for water, two
water towers nourish
the town with
drinking water.
 Additional water
is hauled up
from Zrarieh's
numerous natural
springs, wells,
and Nabaa al-
Tasseh.








THE LAND

    The large town of Zrarieh is situated in Lebanon: qaza Sidon, mouhafazat Janoub.  There are several
theories regarding the origin of its name.  Some scholars propose that the name is derived from Canaanite
(Kanaani) meaning 'fields of roses,' while others maintain that it is Aramaic (Arami) for 'pilgrimage center'
since the town holds a tomb that was perhaps used for such purposes in the past.  It might also be derived
from Syriac (Suryani) for 'warriors.'  Still, others support the view that the name Zrarieh comes from the
name of Abi Zurarah, an early companion of Ali ibn Abi Talib ('alayhi al-salam), or from the Arab tribe of Bani
Zurarah.  The town lies at the crossroads between the three major cities of Sidon, Sour, and Nabatieh.  
To reach Zrarieh, take Sidon south or Sour north until reaching Mafraq Zrarieh-Aboul Aswad
intersection on the Mediterranean coast.  From there, continue east and travel through the chain of villages
Jamjeem-Kharayeb-Arzay until reaching Zrarieh.  From Nabatieh, take the western main road through
the chain of villages Shoukine-Adchit-Qsaibeh-Breiqaa and then finally to Zrarieh.  The town stands on
a series of hills between 320 and 375 meters in elevation above sea level.
    Zrarieh is located north of the pristine Litani River which flows north-to-south from the Bekaa Valley and
curves in an east-to-west direction below the Shaqif (Beaufort) fortress, eventually emptying into the
Mediterranean Sea.  A panoramic view and a map of the town with all its quarters are shown below.
Click here for Zrarieh Photos!
***ORIGINS OF ZRARIEH FAMILIES***




PAGES FROM ZRARIEH HISTORY...




The town's population adopted Islam in the
early eighth century A.D. when Abu Dhar
al-Ghifari, a supporter of Ali ibn Abi Talib
(alayhi al-salam), preached in the area.  
Zrarieh may have been an early center
for an Islamic faction known as the
Zurariyah, named after Abi Zurarah, another
suppoter of Imam Ali.  The town
encountered the Frankish Crusaders
during the eleventh and twelfth centuries.  
The Crusaders transformed the old
Phoenician posts at Qalaat Mays and Qalaat
Yaloush into fortresses, remaining in the
area for over a hundred years.  The
Muslims, under Saladin, reestablished
Islamic control over the region in the 1200s
and vanquished the remaining Crusaders.

Throughout the Mamluk, Ottoman,
and French colonial periods,
Zrarieh was primarily an
agricultural center.  Furthermore,
many of its residents worked on
farms in the Sarafand region, i.e.
Kaouthariet al-Ruzz, al-Usamiyat,
al-Mheidleh, Kafr Baddeh, Deir Taqla,
al-Daoudieh, Khirbet Basal,
al-Hajjeh, Kaouthariet al-Siyyad,
Qaqaaiet al-Snaoubar, and so on.  
The seventeenth and eighteenth
centuries proved harsh for
Zrarieh as well as the rest of Jabal
Amel.  During this period, Ahmad
al-Jazzar and other Ottoman rulers
and governors used heavy-handed
approaches to quell revolts.  
Libraries were burned, villages were
razed, and civilians were massacred.  
The nineteenth century was the
period of the za'ims and Zrarieh
had its share of village politics.  With
industrialization on the rise in the
early part of the twentieth century,
Zrarieh residents began to turn to
non-agricultural means of
living.  Many, especially during
the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s,
began to travel abroad in
search of secure income.  This
pursuit led many to the shores
of West Africa, where a great
number of Zrarieh
expatriates live today.
The 1980s was a tumultuous
decade, filled with the sounds
of civil war and foreign
occupation.  During the spring
of 1985, Zrarieh was the
scene of a massacre of nearly
fifty civilians by Israeli forces
and their proxies.  Many of
these were young men who
were bravely defending the
town during the onslaught.  
Their pictures are displayed in
the central part of the town
square known as Sahet
al-Shuhada.
Today, Zrarieh is a bustling
town with agriculture,
business, and industry being
the lifeblood of both its current
residents and those living
abroad.