BANI ZEID

About BANI ZEID

Bani Zeid is a municipality with around 6,000 inhabitants, located 27 km north-west of Ramallah. It was founded in 1966 when the two villages of Deir Ghassaneh and Beit Rima merged together.

The modern town of Bani Zeid receives its name from a Bedouin tribe, Bani Zeid, who came from Saudi Arabia in the 11 th century. Some of them took part in Salah Eddin al-Ayyubi’s campaign to conquer Jerusalem against the Crusades. After winning, Salah Eddin decided to reward this tribe and convince them to stay in Palestine, so he gifted ‘Bani Zeid’ the territory of Deir Ghassaneh, Beit Rima, and other neighboring villages.

The tribe of Bani Zeid was lucky to have received this fertile land rich with olives, fruits, and facilities for treating the products. The villages grew their economy in the following centuries due to the continuous demand for olive oil, soap, and wheat from the neighboring communities.

In the 16 th century, under the Ottoman rule, Bani Zeid served as an administrative district for tax collection and army mobilization. Then in the 19 th century, it was ruled by the Barghouti noble family.

Deir Ghassaneh was included among the 24 Throne Villages under the Barghouti clan, which had economic and political influence and thus strengthened its power over the other villages. The cultural excellence is evident in the village, as exemplified in its rich architecture and style. Also visible in the village is the preservation of religious harmony and the spiritual Sufi experience.

PALACE OF SALEH AL-BARGHOUTI

One of the oldest and most powerful clans of the Bani Zeid tribe was the wealthy noble family of al-Barghouti. The clan consisted of nine branches whose collective power extended beyond the Bani Zeid sheikhdom to the coastal plain of Palestine.

In 1602, they built their one-floor palace at the centre of Deir Ghassaneh as a sign of their power. 250 years later, Sheikh Saleh al-Barghouti, at the top of his power, renovated the palace and enlarged it. He completed the second floor and divided it among three parts. The first, salamlek , contained a reception area, dining halls, and a guesthouse. The people entered through one small door, whereas a larger one was for big animals and important guests. The ground floor, khazeen , included workshops, food depots, and stables. The haramlek , on the second floor, served as the living quarters for women and servants. Above the living quarters was the Sheikh's' retreat and leisure area overlooking his estates. The center has an open courtyard, enclosed by four partially open arcades for stables or storage.

The local guide will describe the different parts of the building to the guests, explaining the structure of the family and the roles that the palace’s men, women, children, servants, external helpers, and guests have had. It will be worth seeing through the architecture how the wives were secluded from the view of any but their husbands, and how this isolation impacted the design of the palace.

MAQAM AL-MAJDHOUB (SHRINE)

The shrine of al-Majdhoub, about an hour’s walk beyond the village of Deir Ghassaneh, is one of the most beautiful and evocative medieval Sufi sanctuaries in Palestine. The shrine is situated on top of al-Thaher Mountain and lies opposite the Maqam (shrine) of al-Khawass.

The name Al-Majdhoub (derived from the act of attraction to the divine), refers to a kind of spontaneous calling of the heart towards God, without struggle and sometime even without learning. Al-Majdhoub refers to a Sufi man was enticed by “justice” to witness the mystical divine presence. Al-Thaher Mountain, the place where the shrine was built, is called Rijal Sufa (the men of Sufa) – referring to the guardians buried in the shrine.

On the path to the shrine, the visitors cross Bahr al-Banat. The name literally translates to the "sea of girls." According to the local story, women gathered in this area during holiday seasons particularly on Good Friday. Since the times of Salah Eddin al-Ayyubi, people participated in periods that often coincided with Christian holidays and pilgrimages. The gathering of the people was a defensive measure in case of Crusader incursions. This has become a habit and people visited the different shrines and Maqams during certain seasons.

SHEIK KHALED SHRINE

Just beyond the center of the village and near the Women’s Association seat, there is the domed shrine of Sheikh Khaled, an Ottoman building dedicated to a local holy man whose story is long forgotten.

Now around the shrine, there is a garden for children. If it is not open, ask around: the neighbors will give you the key.

Don't miss such a quiet and meditative place. It gives you more of the Palestine spirituality than many mosques and churches.

DEIR GHASSANEH WOMEN SOCIETY

The shrine of Al-Majdhoub, about an hour’s walk beyond the village of Deir Ghassaneh, is one of the most beautiful and evocative medieval Sufi sanctuaries in Palestine. The shrine is situated on top of al-Thaher Mountain and lies opposite the Maqam (shrine) of al-Khawass.

The name Al-Majdhoub (derived from the act of attraction to the divine), refers to a kind of spontaneous calling of the heart towards God, without struggle and sometime even without learning. Al-Majdhoub refers to a Sufi man was enticed by “justice” to witness the mystical divine presence. Al-Thaher Mountain, the place where the shrine was built, is called Rijal Sufa (the men of Sufa) – referring to the guardians buried in the shrine.

On the path to the shrine, the visitors cross Bahr al-Banat. The name literally translates to the "sea of girls." According to the local story, women gathered in this area during holiday seasons particularly on Good Friday.

Since the times of Salah Eddin al-Ayyubi, people participated in periods that often coincided with Christian holidays and pilgrimages. The gathering of the people was a defensive measure in case of Crusader incursions. This has become a habit and people visited the different shrines and Maqams during certain seasons.

Bani Zeid does not yet have structured homestays or hotels for tourists, but there are other much better chances. The contact point of the Women Association is Ola Rimawi. She will organize lunch, dinner and even homestays for visitors, whether traveling solo, as couples, or with families. In this way, visitors can really experience and taste the typical Palestinian hospitality and lifestyle, beyond an exceptional meal with the best of the Palestinian cuisine.

? Women Association is in downtown Deir Ghassaneh
? Call Ola Rimawi +970 597945895

BEIT RIMA

CULTURAL CENTRE OF BANI ZEID

The Cultural Centre is located in an old building of Ottoman-Palestinian style with a garden and a kindergarten, now under restoration.

When the works will be finished the Centre will be also a place for welcoming the tourists.

PRIVATE AND HOSPITABLE HOUSE OF ABED AL-RAZEQ

Led by the local guide, the visitors can be welcomed in the Abed Al-Razeq Al-Alali palace by the landlord. Al-Alali is an expression which means, in the local sense, an architectural unit that indicates the high social status of its owner. The palace is a large complex of Ottoman-Palestinian buildings which still holds the premises of the complete cycle of treatment of olives. It reminds the old source of wealth of the family, owners of large extensions of land with olives. The visit of the house offers the opportunity to live for some moments the atmosphere of the end of the 19th century, witnessed by rooms well furnished with original furniture. The terrace of the upper floor offers a view at 360° on the village and its surroundings.
? Address The house is in downtown of Beit Rima and will be open by the landlord, a perfect host.

In the same premises of the embroidery, the family cooks in a fired wood oven and prepares with the guests a delicious taboon with za’atar or cheese and the usual Palestinian herbs and spices.