Lebanese traditional handicrafts are considered an important part of the living cultural heritage of rural Lebanon. Traditional Lebanese rural handicrafts have been passed down from generation to generation, from the Phoenician and Roman periods until today. Rural areas receive particular attention when talking about traditional crafts due to their rich tangible and intangible cultural heritage. With limited and scarce resources, rural communities can only maintain their heritage and integrate handicrafts into their daily lives. For rural communities, traditional handicrafts are considered a living art; artisans use local materials to create practical, everyday items. The cultural and historical significance of handicrafts creates a sense of pride among artisans and people in rural Lebanon.

Definition

'Crafts', also known as handicrafts, "are the work of making useful and decorative devices entirely by hand or using only simple tools, and it is traditional Main Crafts Sector” (Lebanese Artisans Syndicate). However, when machines are used to produce large quantities of items, the term "process" is more appropriate.

Artisans use ancient production methods and modern technology.

The handicrafts produced by artisans working in rural areas of Lebanon are unique because the artisans use ancient production methods and modern techniques. The latter is developed and maintained by local artisans in rural areas of Lebanon to integrate handicrafts into modern life and allow for more variety. Visitors have the opportunity to explore the ancient and modern processes of making traditional handicrafts by visiting the homes of artisans or their small workshops.

Basket Weaving

Agricultural activities in rural Lebanon can be traced back to Phoenician times. That period saw the creation of baskets to facilitate harvesting crops. Baskets are produced from raw materials available in the region, including reeds, grasses and palm leaves. During harvest season, rustic baskets are used to hold figs, olives and fruits. For centuries, rural communities have been passionate about basket weaving and passing down the crafts from generation to generation as part of their living heritage.

Today, different rural areas specialize in weaving various types of baskets. For example, Amchit (Mount Lebanon) is famous for its typical and unique basket weaving, using palm leaves. Zgharta-Bcharre (northern), Kefraya (Bekaa) and Saida (southern) use reeds and grasses to make larger baskets for transporting fruit. In other rural areas of Lebanon, baskets are woven from local bamboo or wood. Today, weavers develop modern designs and techniques with the help of experts in the field.

Knitting Needles

Nail braiding can also be traced back to the Phoenicians. The Nawl is an old machine used to produce fabrics such as carpets, tablecloths, small silk bags, jackets and tunics (traditional ceremonial cloaks woven from wool or silk). The Phoenicians produced a unique nail fabric made from Tyrian purple dye.

Silk nails are mainly produced in parts of Mount Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley. From the reign of Justinian I (r. 527-565 AD), rural communities used silk production for everyday practical purposes, such as the production of clothing. Today, many villages specialize in the production of silk nails. Zouk Mikael is famous for this handicraft; in the 18th and 19th centuries AD it was known as the "Land of Silk" for its excellence in silk nail weaving. The first three Lebanese flags were woven from Zouk Mikael tapestries. In addition to silk nails, tents and carpets are woven from goat hair. Many ancient vertical looms can be seen in many villages in Lebanon, such as the villages of Qusiba and Qim.

Embroidery

Women are also influential in creating and disseminating cultural heritage. If necessity is the mother of invention, then embroidery was the invention of rural Lebanese women. As a living home handicraft, embroidery plays an important role in enhancing women's lives, especially on wedding occasions.

Young ladies, when they turn 10, start to embroider their trousseaus themselves, for personal (underwear, clothes, bags, etc.) and household use (tablecloths and bedding such as bedspreads, sheets, tablecloths, pillowcases...) As well as paintings and portraits in different designs and colors for home decoration.

Today, embroidery workshops are spread across different villages in Lebanon. Visitors are welcome all year round to explore and learn about this traditional handicraft and purchase embroidered items. To support and empower women in rural areas, many initiatives have been developed by local and international non-governmental organizations and private and public institutions. The aim is to empower women and create alternative sources of income.

Pottery

Many traditional pottery workshops still exist in the countryside.

Archaeologists have found evidence of Neolithic pottery use in Lebanon, c. 5000 BC. In almost every kitchen and house in rural areas you can find earthenware such as bowls, plates, coffee or tea sets, jars (for preserving olive oil, vinegar and arak - a typical Lebanese homemade drink) and Water pitcher (for keeping water cool at any time of the year and in any season).

Potters installed wood-burning stoves and made pottery in their backyards. They use locally available materials to create the glaze, especially olive oil, an agro-industrial product that is also part of Lebanese culinary tradition. Many traditional pottery workshops still exist in the countryside of Lebanon, Rachaya El Foukhar (El Foukhar means pottery in French), the Chouf region, Tripoli, Beit Chabab, Assia and Aita el-Foukhar being the most famous examples.

Glassblowing

Glassblowing is another very old and unique craft in rural Lebanon, believed to date back to 50 BC. Phoenician cities such as Tire, Sarafan, Sidon and Tripoli were famous for their glassblowing workshops. Although there are only a few left now, visitors can still find authentic traditional workshops. In Saravand, for example, glassblowing still follows an ancient and unique tradition. A unique feature of the process is that the used glass is sorted and recycled. Sorting takes place in a glassblower's workshop or at home, and the process produces beautiful items in a variety of colors and shapes, including traditional wine bottles, sawtooth vases, glasses and jars.

Another example illustrating the ancient and little-known glassblowing technique is the Badawi-Tripoli workshop. This time, the uniqueness comes in the form of glass, which is slightly opaque and littered with tiny air bubbles. The result is vases, candlesticks, drinking glasses and more in violet, turquoise, green and yellow.

Conclusion

Despite the many problems faced by artisans in rural Lebanon, these traditions still exist and offer visitors a unique experience of craftsmanship. On a personal level, artisans in rural Lebanon are evolving their crafts from simple hobbies to professional endeavors; they are also educating others on the processes and skills required. At the national level, many local non-government organizations and conservation agencies are doing their best to protect Lebanon's cultural heritage. For example, La Maison de l'Artisan (House of Artisans) promotes handicrafts and offers new market opportunities not only in the Lebanese capital Beirut, but also on a regional and international level. In order for handicrafts to continue telling the traditional stories of rural communities, national authorities must develop and implement effective laws and regulations to protect Lebanon’s traditional rural handicrafts and the know-how of artisans.