Modern Population Niha Bekaa

church of prophet elias.

it common in lebanon voters return claimed village of ancestry suffrage regardless of place of residence in country. municipality of niha states there 1,260 registered voters in village, , approximately 1,000 permanent residents in village. of more 2,000 individuals claim niha hometown reside elsewhere, 400 reside outside lebanon. summer population swells considerably vacationers family ties village flock village lebanese coastline or abroad (including united states, canada, european union, brazil, argentina or australia). population made of several family surnames, notably maalouf (معلوف), ayoub (أيوب), rmeily (رميلي), fakhry (فخري), hrawi (هراوي), najjar (نجار), kerbaje (كرباج), rabbah (رباح), abu deyye (ابو ديه), harb (حرب), ghanem (غانم), ziadeh (زيادة), allam (علام), , sharafeddine (شرف ألدين). families live in peace , harmony, , provide each other assistance characteristic of tightly-knit village societies. village population vastly christian, split between maronite christians , greek orthodox christians, few families follow shia islam. faiths have peacefully coexisted in village without record of violent incidents due religious differences. church of prophet elias (arabic: مار إلياس) built c. 1880 , serves villagers of greek orthodox faith. church of saint antonios (arabic: مار أنطونيوس) serves maronites in village.

until 1960s, population dressed in traditional lebanese costumes, notably male sherwal garment characterized baggy pants , headdresses, or gambaz, long gown worn men. population modernized , education became widespread, western dresses became norm. traditional dresses worn today during celebratory festivities.

the primary economic engine of village agriculture. village produce includes grapes, apples, cherries, almonds, transported zahlé, beirut or exported arab countries. albeit modern amenities such telephones available in village, residents continue live century-old practices such storing food supplies winter season. during summer, villagers seen busy preparing kishk (arabic: كشك) specialty powdery dish made cracked wheat , yogurt. arak (arabic: عرق) 1 of specialties of village using locally grown grapes.

whereas illiteracy common @ beginning of 20th century, literacy rate today high, , higher average literacy rate in lebanon. village home secondary education school ( ثانوية نيحا) , boasts high concentration of college graduates including medical doctors, engineers, scientists , teachers.