The Dabkeh Must Go On

This year, after the tremendous success of "Mechwar Maa Meghwar "on the 31 of May 2015 where more than 6500 people participated, JABALNA Association is organizing her traditional festival. 



Annually, since 2007, "JABALNA FESTIVAL" takes place in the village of Maasser El Chouf with a special collaboration of the Shouf Cedars Reserve , the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Tourism . Each year, the event bears an overwhelming environmental theme with specific purpose . Among others we highlighted issues like "National Honey Day, ",Robinia's Day, Aromatic plants Festival and "Happy Bird Day " birds from Lebanon festival, to cite a few .




This year it is all about Lebanese Dabkeh on September 13th. 
Jabalna Association has been awarded by SEA (Social Economic Award) in 2014 with the sustainable development award. 



The festival is held for one day. More 250 small producers from the mountain are every year invited to participate. This is their only opportunity to show and sell their products, giving them like chance to stay in their village and perseverate in their activities.



Free visits to the Shouf Cedar Reserve are also available. 
All this, in a festive ambiance, this is the reason that the festival became a yearly Rendez-vous for more than 10,000 visitors. 




There is more than 20 types of Dabkeh. To name a few: 

• Al-Shamaliyya (الشمالية)
• Al-Sha'rawiyya (الشعراوية)
• Al-Karaadiyya (الكرادية)\
• Al-Farah (الفره)
• Al-Ghazal (الغزل)
• Al-'Adiyya (العادية) Al-Dalo'una (دبكة الدلعونا)
• Al-'Askariyya (العسكرية)
• Wahad w Nos (واحد ونص)

There are numerous kinds of songs and instruments used like the Oud, the Mijwiz, Tablah, Daff or Riq and Arghul . 



This Festival sheds light on some dancers, singers and musicians who have been conserving their heritage. These individuals showcase various Dabkeh on different musical forms, tunes and instruments labeling them "Lebanese heritage ". Raising the value of this work is the scarcity of young people preserving this musical heritage. This adds an archival value to the artistic one, in the sense of archiving of historical musical era that is continuously undergoing modifications to match the requirements of the contemporary Lebanese societies. 



With the spread of the commercial Zaffe, people have moved away from their heritage. During this day people will have the opportunity to discover and learn the assets of the different kinds of traditional Dabkeh.




Join us! 
Let's enjoy and learn our Dabkeh!