Umm_al-Zaytun

Umm al-Zaytun

Umm al-Zaytun

Village in as-Suwayda, Syria

Umm al-Zaytun (also spelled Umm ez-Zeitoun) is a village in the al-Suwayda Governorate in southwestern Syria. It is situated along the southeastern edge of the Lejah lava plateau, northwest of the city of al-Suwayda. Umm al-Zaytun had a population of 1,913 in the 2004 census.[1] Its inhabitants are Druze.

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History

Umm al-Zaytun had been abandoned sometime in the middle Ottoman era, but was settled by Druze prior to 1810. It was one of the earliest Druze settlements in the Lejah plateau.[2] The village was controlled by the Bani Amer clan.[3]

In 1838, it was noted as a village, situated "the Luhf, east of the Lejah, i.e. in Wady el-Liwa".[4]

In 1839, Ibrahim Pasha, the Egyptian governor of Syria, sent a conscription expedition of 100 cavalry to subdue the Druze of Hauran. The latter engaged and destroyed Ibrahim Pasha's troops at Umm al-Zaytun.[5] The Egyptian army withdrew from Syria in 1841 and Ottoman rule was restored. Umm al-Zaytun joined the Hauran Druze Rebellion of 1910 was subdued by Ottoman troops commanded by Badr Khan Bey.[6]

Archaeology

Roman Empire-era structures are located in Umm al-Zaytun.[7] In particular are the ruins of a religious building with a large stone facade and a room with niches suited for statues.[7] The inscription found at the building date to 282 CE and mention and describe the building as a "sacred kalybe".[7] This type of building is relatively unique in Syria, being found only in Umm al-Zaytun and nearby Shaqqa and Hayyat.[7]

See also

References

  1. [1]
    General Census of Population and Housing 2004. Syria Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). Al-Suwayda Governorate. (in Arabic)
  2. [2]
    Firro 1992, p. 175
  3. [3]
    Firro 1992, p. 183
  4. [4]
    Robinson and Smith, 1841, vol 3, 2nd appendix, p. 155
  5. [5]
    Socin, 1876, p. 420
  6. [6]
    Murphy, 1921, p. 18
  7. [7]
    Butcher, 2003, p. 361

Bibliography

  • Butcher, Kevin (2003). Roman Syria and the Near East. Getty Publications.
  • Firro, Kais (1992). A History of the Druzes. Vol. 1. BRILL. ISBN 9004094377.
  • Murphy, C.C.R. (1921). Soldiers of the Prophet. John Hogg. p. 18.
  • Robinson, E.; Smith, E. (1841). Biblical Researches in Palestine, Mount Sinai and Arabia Petraea: A Journal of Travels in the year 1838. Vol. 3. Boston: Crocker & Brewster.
  • Socin, A. (1876). Palestine and Syria: Handbook for Travellers. Karl Baedeker.
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