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Politics Caza - Zgharta Zgharta - Zawie Online Magazine |
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The rule of the five families The political history of Zgharta (Ehden) was clearly marked by the influence of some major families that ruled the town of Ehden and its surroundings before the twentieth century and the district of Zgharta – Zawieh in this late century. The political system (ever since it existed in Zgharta zawieh) evolved from a "feodal" to a nearly "tribal" system. Out of 70 families that form the community of Zgharta, only 5 have played a political role which through the times became denied to others, especially in the 20th century that have seen the disappearance of the Zawieh's political role. The struggle for power between the different families had its hard times and the town of Zgharta experienced many bloody incidents that happened mainly in the 1950ies, 60ies and 70ies. These "tribal" wars were aimed to maintain or to promote the political or influential role of a family (tribe). To keep an influential political role means, in the political system in Lebanon, literally to have a share in the "wealth" of the country. Five "families" in Zgharta (out of 70) had the opportunity to be members in the corrupt political system in Lebanon. In the elections of summer 2000, two deputies from the same family were elected. This happened to be a "premiere" in the history of the political life of Zgharta Zawieh. While it is permitted to have dozens of candidates from Zgharta, it is still risky to be a candidate from Zawieh. From 1624 to 1900 The first known person to have governed this part of Lebanon was Abou Karam of the Karam family in 1624. His successors till the year 1704 were members of the same family. Then came the Douaihys' who ruled from 1757 to 1788, the year Youssef Gerges Douaihy was assassinated. The Karams' reappeared on the political scene with Youssef Francis Karam, who was married to the daughter of the late Youssef Douaihy, and became the sole undisputed governor of the "directorate" of Ehden. The Karams remained continuously in power till the year 1861 when Youssef Bey Karam resigned from his office as Ka'em makam Al-Nasarah. Youssef Bey Karam was exiled to Europe in 1867. The Turks appointed his rival Hanna Bey Mawad as governor of Ehden (1867-1868) who became the first known figure of the Mouawad family and whose daughter married Sleiman Frangie, father of Kabalan. In the year 1874 Assaad Mikhaiil Karam was nominated governor of Ehden Directorate, and the Karam family held that position through many successors till the year 1900. The twentieth century was marked by the rise of the political role of other major families in Zgharta.
The rule of the Karam family lasted 200 years. Youssef Bey Karam was the person who played a major role in the history of Mount Lebanon in the mid 19th century. The 20th century: By the beginning of the 20th century, the Karam ruling family had no successor but a little boy, the future deputy Youssef Karam. The unavailability of a successor from the Karams, paved the way for the Franjiehs' headed by Sleiman Ghnatios Franjieh and the Mouawads' in the person of Michel Ghnatios Mouawad. The successors of Sleiman G. franjieh were, chronologically, his son Kabalan then his grandson Hamid, then his second grandson Sleiman, then Tony son of Sleiman and finally the actual minister and deputy Sleiman Tony Franjieh.
Michel Mawad was the first person from Zgharta to ever been nominated (1909) as Governor of the Zawieh. His grandson René evolved on the political scene from Parliament member, to minister several times and finally President of the Republic.
It took 200 years to the Douayhi family to regain its role as an influential one on the political scene. This family played a major role, throughout history, in the religious life of the Maronite community.
Finally the 5th family, Makari (Boulos) had a periodical political role during the French mendate through the famous Jawad Boulos. |
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