Zgharteghrin : Home for the largest church in Lebanon
Etymology
According to Anis Fraiha in his book Names of Lebanese Towns and Villages, the word zgharteghrin is of Aramaic origin and is made up of two parts: the first meaning a ‘fortress’ and the second meaning ‘disputes’. The town may have assumed this name because it was well-fortified and riddled with disputes. The second speculation of Fraiha suggests that zgharteghrin is a place where rocks and pebbles abound or where it is difficult to walk.
Location
Zgharteghrin is located in the Qada’a of Dennieh in an area named Haffet Dennieh at an altitude of 800 meters above the sea level. It is 90 kilometers from Beirut and may be reached from Tripoli then via Zgharta and Khalidiyeh.
Population
The registered population is estimated at 900 all of whom are Maronite. The town has roughly 300 houses.
Voters
Voters amounted in 2000 to 502, of whom 226 exercised their voting rights. The number increased in 2009 to 608, with 189 casting their ballots. Voters are distributed across the following families:
- Habib: 120
- Abou Merhi: 69
- Boutros: 60
- Elias: 50
- Soueid: 45
- Abou Mhanna: 40
- Fakhr: 37
- Ibrahim: 35
- Antoine: 32
- Abou Shahine: 30
- Chidiac: 30
- Semaan: 27
Local authority
The town does not have a municipal council and the local authority is vested with a Mukhtar and an Ikhtiyariah body.
Educational institutions
Zgharteghrin lacks educational institutions and its few students enroll in the schools of Zgharta and the vicinity.
Problems
With over half its residents relocating to Australia, Zgharteghrin suffers from a major emigration problem. This, however, is a double-edged sword as their remittances ensure the livelihood of many residents in the town and help finance local projects.
Leave A Comment