Kahale

Kahale (Arabic: الكحالة), is a mountain village in the district of Aley (Caza Aley), Lebanon, 13 km from Beirut. Population estimated at 11,000 residents, most of whom are Maronite Catholic.

Kahale الكحالة Kehale
Kahale Location in Lebanon
Coordinates: 33°49′19″N 35°35′15″E / 33.82194°N 35.58750°E / 33.82194; 35.58750Coordinates: 33°49′19″N 35°35′15″E / 33.82194°N 35.58750°E / 33.82194; 35.58750
Country	Lebanon
Governorate	Mount Lebanon Governorate
District	Aley District
Area ^[1]
• Total	0.75 sq mi (1.94 km^2)
Elevation ^[1]	1,800 ft (550 m)
Population
• Total	13,000
Time zone	UTC+2 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	+3

Etymology

Kahale is derived from Syriac and Aramaic, from kah (verb meaning breathed or respired); al or el (the name of the Canaanite god El, who was considered the father of God and of mankind); and e (an ending denoting that the god El is the speaker's god).^{[citation needed]}

Geography

Considering the locale and geography of the Kahale this name is suited well. A valley extends from the Sh'har west side of the Kahale into the Rjoum, eastern side of the Kahale.^{[citation needed]}

History

In 1838, Eli Smith noted the place, called el-Kahhaleh, located in El-Ghurb el-Fokany; Upper el-Ghurb.^[2]

Religion

Kahale has a predominantly Maronite Catholic population.

The village has three churches:

• Mar Elias (مار الياس )
• Our Lady (السيدة)
• Mar Antonios (مار انطونيوس)

This in addition to Don Bosco monastery and school, and Saint Charbel Home for the elderly which is now closed.

References

1. , Localiban
2. Robinson and Smith, 1841, vol 3, 2nd appendix, p. 191

Bibliography

• Abi Khalil, Charbel. (1997). History of the Kahale. Beirut: The Arabic Press.
• 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.

External links

• , Localiban