Lebanon - Books - 7000 Years Of History

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Pieces of the mosaic fall into place after 25 years of research
Latest historical book about Lebanon is a must for lovers of literature and
Middle Eastern culture

Elaine Larwood
Special to The Daily Star
Lebanon: A Mosaic of Cultures could not have been written 25 years ago, as it
has taken that long for Nina Jidejian to assimilate 7,000 years of history and
set the story jewel-like before the reader. With a long booklist already to her
credit, historian Jidejian has created a work that is beautifully clear and
insightful, leaving the reader with a fresh view of Lebanon and its history.
“Scientific reports interest the scientist and scholar,” says Jidejian,
“but there is so much more one can read between the lines to show that the
people who lived in Lebanon in the past were not much different from the people
of today.” Jidejian’s book emphasizes the strong thread of tradition that
has carried so many of Lebanon’s habits and customs down through the
centuries to modern times. She shows how Lebanon’s heritage has been
preserved by artisans and potters, sculptors, goldsmiths and mosaic-workers,
who developed and practiced their art with great skill.
The glass “gargoulette” or water jug seen on most kitchen tables in Lebanon
today has its ancestor in a terracotta jug from 8th century BC Sidon. Even
older is the gold spoon with a duck’s head found in 18th century BC Byblos in
the tomb of King Ibshemuabi. This same design is used today in the cutlery
manufactured in Jezzine, a prized and unusual gift.
Many more common objects of daily life go well back in history. The Kufic
lettering on the Mamluke monuments of 14th century AD Tripoli, is inscribed
today on brass trays made by skilled artisans in Kalamoun south of Tripoli. And
the “labbade” ­ a conical cap worn by early Bronze Age farmers of Byblos
in 2300 BC remains the country’s traditional headdress still worn by
mountaineers in Lebanon.
Wherever possible, Jidejian has presented the human side of ancient Lebanon ­
its kings, high priests, seamen, farmers and artisans. It is the engaging text,
combined with lavish photographs, that give the book its unique character. From
the tiny huts of Neolithic fishermen to the monumental temples of the Roman
gods, the story of Lebanon unfolds.

Published by An-Nahar in 347 pages, Lebanon: A Mosaic of Cultures in combined
English and French languages. Available at major bookstores .