Christianity in Simakiyya Menu

Richard Jones, Ph.D. Assistant Professor  of Anthropology Lee University

Outline

1. The Churches in Simakiyya

   1. The Melkite Catholic Church

      1. Fr. Boulos Baqain: parish priest in Simakiyya.

      2. His Beatitude Gregory III Laham Patriarch of Antioch and all the East: 
         head of the Melkite Catholic Church.

      3. Church follows the Byzantine rite.

      4. Mostly 'Akasha.

   2. Latin Church

      1. Fr. Bader Rifat: parish priest in Simakiyya.

      2. His Beatitude Msgr. Michael Sabbah Patriarch of Jerusalem: head of the 
         Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

      3. Church follows the Latin rite.

      4. Mostly Hajazin.

2. Weddings in Simakiyya

   1. Men work for several years to establish a home.

      1. Many men marry in their late twenties or early thirties.

      2. Men usually marry a woman five to eight years younger.

   2. Men will build a separate home.

      1. Sometimes it is a separate structure.

      2. Sometimes it is a second story on the man's parent's home.

      3. Couples that move to the city frequently rent apartments.

   3. A man will talk to a woman he is interested in.

      1. If she is interested, the parents of both the man and the woman will 
         meet.

   4. Formal engagement is announced

      1. Usually lasts a year.

   5. Wedding dinner at the groom's house.

      1. Mansef: rice, shrak, cooked goat, and jammiid.

   6. Groom leads wedding procession through village streets to meet bride.

      1. Village men play drums and sing.

   7. Bride and groom meet and go into church.

   8. Wedding Ceremony

      1. Bride and groom leave for honeymoon.

3. Tribal Christianity in Karak

   1. Christian tribes of Karak

      1. Halasa, Haddadin, Hajazin, 'Akasha, Sunna', Madanat, Zurayqat, 
         Masanat, Baqain, and Masarwa.

   2. Most Christians found in Karak, Qasr, Simakiyya, Hamoud, Adir, and Ar-
      Rabba.

Acknowledgements
This work would not have been possible without the help of Abuna Boulos who arranged for us to attend many functions and who spent many hours talking to us about life in the village. We are also thankful for the help of Abuna Rifat who allowed us access to his church. Also, additional thanks to Abuna Khalil and Abuna Hikmat in Karak for extra help with understanding the history of the region and the relationship between the churches. Finally, many thanks to the people of the village of Simakiyya who treated us with utmost hospitality and kindness during our stay.

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