DRUZE

HISTORY

• Founded in Egypt during tenth century
• Roots of Islamic, Greek, and Hinduism
• Started during reign of al-Hakim (996-1021)
• First Druze settles in now southern Lebanon
• Always kept contact with other branches of society

FAKHR AL-DIN

• Named one of the greatest Druze rulers
• Considered founder of religion in Lebanon
• First united Druze and other civilizations in Lebanon

Facts

• During the War of Independence, actively helped Israel
• About 1 million Druze living mostly in Syria and Lebanon today
• Several thousand emigrated to Europe, South America, and North America
• Culture focuses on Arabic
• People in Druze community achieved high positions in political, public, and military places

Beliefs

• Consider faith to be reresentation of Judaism, Christianity, and Islamic
• Prophets come from those three religions
• Believe that rituals and ceremonies make people turn away from pure faith
• Do not celebrate rituals
• Relgion is secret and closed to converts
• Basis of faith is handed down generation to generation

Legend

• Al-Hakim is Druze god
• He disapperaed sometime in 1021
• Druze believe he will come back to bring golden age for true believers (like Jesus for us)
• Qualities of their god cannot be defined or uunderstood by humans
• Al-Hakim is called "Our Lord" by the Druze and his actions are all explains symbolically

Caramel Heritage Center

• Display of elements of Druze life from their past
• Also demonstrates role of women back then
• Can visit today
• Tour guides with present stories exlanations from the life of of a group from the village
• Has strong emphasis of the process of the development of Druze women over the years

Cuisine

• Generally served on a big platter
• Typical meal includes olives, pita, cheese, chickpeas, garlic, and rice or potatoes
• Strong coffee often accompanies these meals