Perhaps you have heard of a town where plums reign supreme. That town is Bdadoun. Welcome. We are now standing in the heart of Bdadoun. This Lebanese town is a treasure trove of history and culture. It is nestled in the Mount Lebanon Governorate.
Bdadoun is one of the 70 towns and villages that comprise the Aley District. It sits 490 meters above sea level. Bdadoun is just 15 kilometers from Beirut. This proximity makes it a convenient escape.
The name Bdadoun has ancient roots. It comes from the Phoenician term “Bd-Adoun”. This translates to “House of Adoun”. Adoun was a Canaanite god. He was associated with the sun. In Greek he is known as Adonis and in Babylonia as Tammuz.
Bdadoun’s story is etched in time. In 1144 conflict arose in North Lebanon. King Barquq seized the opportunity. He ordered an invasion of the Christian dominated area. This led to an exodus of people. They sought refuge in the Chouf District. The Tannoukhi dynasty ruled this region. The Ottomans later conquered it in the early 1500s. Bdadoun remained under Ottoman rule until World War I’s end.
The early settlers of Bdadoun were Maronite families. They came from North Lebanon. They were peasants. The land was rocky and challenging. It was covered with oaks wild figs vines and olive trees. These settlers transformed the landscape. They built stone terraces. They planted fruit trees. Apricots almonds pears apples pomegranates and plums thrived.
Bdadoun is famous for its plums. The Ganerik plum is a local specialty. The town celebrates this fruit with an annual harvest festival in May. It is believed that this plum is closely related to the Greengage. You should not mistake it for the Chinese Plum or Loquat. It is also grown in Bdadoun. Locals call it Akkidinya or Akkadeneh.
Bdadoun has a strong Christian Maronite heritage. The parish is part of the Beirut diocese. There are four churches here. The church of Notre Dame de Bdadoun was first a dwelling in the 17th century. It has been rebuilt several times. The last time was in 1870. This was after the civil strife in Mount Lebanon. St. Antoine Church was established in 1903. The Howayek Abi Roufayel family supported it. The church steeple was erected in 1938. St. Elie Church held its first mass in 1909. Elias Tannous Howayek supported its renovation in 1923. St. Georges Church was built in 1899. The Feghali family supported it. It was renovated in 1988.
Bdadoun has nurtured educational institutions. Bdadoun Public School was founded in 1921. Selim Nouhra founded it. It later became a public school. Ecole Saint Elie was founded in 1941. Elias Tannous Howayek donated the land. He gave it to Saint Famille Maronite nuns.
Bdadoun covers an area of 143 hectares. It stands between 352 and 490 meters above sea level. It is located 15 km from Beirut. Blaybel Houmal Wadi Chahrour Aaytat Bsous and Qmatiyeh border Bdadoun.
Folklore singer Zaghloul is from Bdadoun. He is known for his Zajal style of songs. These songs were recorded in “Haflit Bdadoun”. Bdadoun also hosts a Plum Harvest Festival. It includes a parade and a night of music and dance. Major Lebanese folklore singers attend this festival every year.
Many families have roots in Bdadoun. The Feghali Merheb Daow Moubarak Abi Khalil Semaan and Shayaa families are some examples. Like many Lebanese towns Bdadoun has seen emigration. People have moved to the United States Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom. They have also moved to France Australia Mexico Brazil and Canada. They sought higher incomes better jobs and better education. They also wanted better medical facilities and political stability.
Asaad el Feghali the poet known as the “Blackbird of the Valley” was born here. A sculpture of him stands at the village entrance.
Bdadoun offers a blend of history agriculture and culture. It is a testament to Lebanese heritage. As we conclude our visit I hope you carry a piece of Bdadoun with you.