Family photos

Jarmaq (al-Jarmaq) on Mount Meron in the early 1800s would have been a small, remote Druze highland village built along the slopes of the mountain. The settlement likely consisted of tightly clustered limestone houses with flat roofs, designed to protect inhabitants from both summer heat and winter cold. Dry-stone terraces stepped down the hillside and were used for cultivation, while narrow winding footpaths connected homes, animal pens, storage rooms, and small family courtyards. A modest central open area probably functioned as a communal gathering place where elders met, guests were received, and local matters were discussed.

Daily life followed the rhythm of the land. Families practiced mixed agriculture, cultivating olives on the lower slopes and growing figs, grapes, wheat, and barley where terraces allowed. Goats and sheep were essential to the household economy, providing milk, wool, and trade goods. Although the village appeared isolated, it was not cut off from the wider region; trade routes connected the inhabitants to nearby towns where they exchanged agricultural products for salt, tools, textiles, and grain. Seasonal movement between higher and lower elevations was common, especially for grazing and harvest cycles.

The social fabric of the village was built upon kinship networks and reputation. Order was maintained less by formal institutions and more through mediation by respected elders and leading families. Druze religious and social life was private and community-centered, with gatherings occurring discreetly and guided by trusted figures rather than public ceremony. Hospitality held deep importance, and visitors, relatives, and travelers served as the primary carriers of news and alliances between communities.