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Kwechra: The Turkish Village In The Heart Of Akkar
Lebanon was once a playground for empires and their dominions, and in many cases, these empires left behind a great deal of history for us to uncover.
Kwechra, a wonderful village tucked away in Akkar, is a remainder of the Ottoman rule that once was. Some of the people residing in this village are of Turkish origin, believed to descend from the Güser tribe of Konya, Turkey. The tribe had travelled across the Syrian and Lebanese coasts before settling in Kwechra, North Lebanon.
A remnant of the 400-year-old Ottoman Empire, the people of Kwechra honor their Turkish origins by speaking the language fluently, alongside Lebanese.
The village has also preserved traditional Turkish dress, including the Koufeyeh (or Turkish scarf) and traditional trousers, and a similar style of architecture through the glorious black-stone houses spraed throughout the region.
Kwechra’s beauty is known to attract tourists and nature lovers from all around, especially due to its artificial lake. The peaceful and magical site boasts a magnificent old mosque in the central square, surrounded by lush greenery and ancient ruins.
Sewing clothes and making carpets are staple local productions, all done passionately with a Turkish touch. After years of working in Turkish rug making, a large number of people in Kwechra and the neighboring towns of El Bireh and Aidamoun now work in agriculture and animal farming.
The journey to the village is a challenging one, but once you are greeted with the kind smiles of the locals and served their traditional Turkish dishes, it will be worth it. Their manakish are made with wheat flour and olive oil, served with a variety of delicious spices and vegetables—the perfect breakfast!
If you’re up for something more adventurous than this classic mankoushe, try Kwechra’s other specialties like “Labnieh”, a traditional Turkish dish made with wheat and laban. The dish is usually served with pita bread and fresh vegetables and is known as “Al-Ash” in Turkey.
Heavily influenced by Turkish culture, “Laylat Al Henna ” is a Turkish wedding tradition still held in Kwechra today. During this ceremony, women paint the bride with henna as they dance and sing around wearing traditional embroidered clothing.
What are you waiting for? Visit Kwechra and get a glimpse of the Turkish culture in Lebanon, a rich history celebrated throughout generations.
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