Rashaya District
Rashaya District | |
|---|---|
District | |
| قضاء راشيا | |
 Rashaya Citadel | |
 Location in Lebanon | |
| Country |  Lebanon |
| Governorate | Beqaa Governorate |
| Capital | Rashaya |
| Area | |
• Total | 187 sq mi (485 km2) |
| Population | |
• Estimate (31 December 2017) | 47,122 |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
Rashaya District (Arabic: قضاء راشيا) is an administrative district in the Beqaa Governorate of the Republic of Lebanon.
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Most of Rachaya's population are Druze with a Sunni and Shia and Christian minority. Many people of Rachaya have left for larger cities in Lebanon such as Beirut. During the Lebanese civil war, Rachaya was not affected as much as other parts of Lebanon during the conflict.
Rachaya is known for its pottery and famous for the Church bells made in the town, the town is right next to the Anti-Lebanon mountain range in bordering Syria.
In 1943, several prominent nationalist politicians were imprisoned in Rashaya's Castle by the French Mandate administration. Finally yielding to mounting internal and international pressure, France released the prisoners on November 22, 1943; since then, this day has been celebrated as Independence Day.[1]
In 1969, Rashaya witnessed clashes between Palestinian fedayeen and the Lebanese army.
Local culture and festivals
[edit]Rashaya hosts various cultural events and festivals throughout the year, celebrating traditions, music, and arts. These events offer visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the local culture.[2] The district's diverse religious communities, including Druze, Greek Orthodox, Greek Catholics, and Syriacs, have lived peacefully together, contributing to a rich cultural tapestry.[3]
Agricultural tourism
[edit]Rashaya's economy thrives on traditional activities, including herb harvesting, crop cultivation (cherries, olives, etc.), and goat husbandry for Labneh production.[2] Visitors can experience agricultural practices such as olive harvesting and the making of olive oil, as well as other traditional products like olive oil soap, arak, pomegranate molasses, and flower waters.[4]
Crafts and local artisans
[edit]Rashaya is known for traditional crafts such as silver and jewelry making.[3] The district, particularly the village of Rashaya, is recognized for its pottery and ceramics.[5] These crafts, along with others like cedar wood carving, blown glass, and textile weaving, are part of Lebanon's rich cultural heritage and can be found in local artisan shops and cultural centers throughout the country.[5]
Demographics
[edit]| Year | Christians | Muslims | Druze | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Greek Orthodox | Maronites | Greek Catholics | Other Christians | Total | Sunnis | Shias | Druze | |
| 2014[6] | |||||||||
References
[edit]- ^ "Rashaya Al-Wadi".
- ^ a b "Caza De Rachaiya (Rachaya el Wadi) in Lebanon: Unveiling the Natural Treasures of this Hidden Gem". 2023.
- ^ a b "10 Things to do in Rashaya Al Wadi - LebanonUntravelled.com". 2023-09-01. Retrieved 2025-03-13.
- ^ "Tour Lebanon". Olive Harvest. Retrieved 2025-03-13.
- ^ a b "12 Traditional Lebanese Crafts and Where to Find Them". www.the961.com. 2023-11-29. Retrieved 2025-03-13.
- ^ https://lub-anan.com/المحافظات/البقاع/راشيا/المذاهب/
| Akkar Governorate |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Baalbek-Hermel Governorate | ||
| Beirut Governorate | ||
| Beqaa Governorate | ||
| Keserwan-Jbeil Governorate | ||
| Mount Lebanon Governorate | ||
| Nabatieh Governorate | ||
| North Governorate | ||
| South Governorate | ||
Capital: Rashaya | ||
| Towns and villages | | |
| Other | ||
33°30′09″N 35°50′46″E / 33.5024°N 35.8462°E
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