Earth Day #3 Lebanon

Celebrating Lebanon!!

Lebanon is a country I am not all that familiar with. I know a few people that have been but most of my knowledge comes from personal research.

According to Wikipedia, Lebanon, officially the Lebanese Republic, is a sovereign state in Asia. It is bordered by Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south. Lebanon's location at the crossroads of the Mediterranean Basin and the Arabian hinterland facilitated its rich history and shaped a cultural identity of religious and ethnic diversity. The earliest evidence of civilization in Lebanon dates back more than seven thousand years, predating recorded history.

The name "Lebanon" originates from the Semitic root lbn (لبن), meaning "white," which is likely a reference to the snow-capped peaks of Mount Lebanon.

Occurrences of the name have been found in different texts from the library of Ebla, which date to the third millennium BC, nearly 70 times in the Hebrew Bible, and three of the twelve tablets of the Epic of Gilgamesh (perhaps as early as 2100 BC).

The name is recorded in Ancient Egyptian as Rmnn, where R stood for Canaanite L. 

 The main population groups of Lebanon consists of Shia Muslims, Sunni Muslims, Christians and Druza. For centuries, Lebanon has been place of refuge for the region's minorities.  

I have said it before and I will no doubt say it again, but I find history fascinating and love seeing how places and people intertwine. How when can meet one person 'by chance' and that person connects us to another and soon we are connected to faraway lands filled with different beliefs, thoughts, customs, cultures, music, religion, foods and yet we all have things in common. The human tapestry of this world is a beautiful as it is diverse.

Based on dishes I have tried (prepared by friends) Lebanese cuisine carries big flavors such as garlic, olive oil and lemon juice mixed with herbs like cumin and sumac. Here is link to great video featuring different Lebanese recipes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoVQJd9SK5I 

Resource

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lebanon

Photos

https://johnnamcclellan.wordpress.com/developing-world-lebanon-2/

http://www.hdwallpapera.com/lebanon-city-view-high-definition-wallpaper-2/lebanon-city-view-high-definition-wallpaper-3/

http://eurotaxi.mobi/blog/sidebar-lebanon/lebanon-country-full-surprises/

Disclaimer

This should have been with the first post as well. I am well aware that many countries, all on some level, are marred by war, invasion, forms of terrorism and treason. People have been through uprisings and revolutions. While all of these can be changing moments and driving forces of a culture I am choosing to not mention them. I am striving to present a country, a people, without any agenda other than to celebrate their existence. I am choosing to highlight what I can (through my own time and knowledge) I am not a historian or expert of any kind. I only have my own experiences, eyes, ears and internet connection and a belief that all people should be seen with compassion and intrigue because every cultural has a richness to be honored.