Learn Lebanese Arabic with weekly transcribed podcasts exploring Lebanon and its people | تعلم اللغة العربية باللهجة اللبنانية مع البودكاست الأسبوعي والمكتوب الذي يعرفك على لبنان وشعبه
Rea and Mariam are leaving work early when Rea suggests that they get shawarma for lunch because she is craving meat after the end of the Christian fasting period. Mariam, who is a Muslim, reminds Rea that Ramadan has begun and she is fasting. The two colleagues and friends discuss Christian and Muslim fasting traditions … Continue reading Episode 76 – Religious fasting
Mother's day in the Middle East is celebrated on March 21. In this episode, Mariam hosts her mom and asks about her early years raising a family during the dark chapters of Lebanese history that included the 25-year Civil War and 15-year Israeli occupation in Lebanon. It was a difficult period of violence and economic … Continue reading Episode 71 – Mother’s Day
Christmas as a holiday is celebrated around the globe but there is always room for cultural differences in celebrations, tales, and customs. Lebanese Christmas celebrations include bounteous food spreads with family, Santa visits, big lit up Christmas trees, and goodies filled holiday markets. In this episode, Rea takes us on a tour of the major … Continue reading Episode 57 – Christmas in Lebanon
Join Mariam and Naim as they travel through Lebanon noting the art and slogans on cars, buses, trucks, and vans. Learn about this cultural and artistic display on Lebanese roads. What is the purpose of the art and writings? What do some of these phrases mean, and what do they tell you about the life … Continue reading Episode 55 – Art on vehicles
Handicraft making is a popular profession in Lebanon. It reflects the traditional and artistic face of the country. Some families have specialized in this field for generations. Lebanese handicrafts often celebrate village life, social traditions, and the country's mountains and cedar trees. In this episode we discuss some of the most famous Lebanese handicrafts and … Continue reading Episode 32 – Traditional handicrafts
For generations Lebanese people have prepared food provisions ("mouneh") to last them until spring when snow covered fields and roads would be accessible again. Nowadays people no longer depend on mouneh to make it through the cold months, but its role as an integral part of Lebanese cuisine and culture is as alive as ever. … Continue reading Episode 29 – Mouneh (food provisions)
Traditional village weddings in Lebanon are a multiday affair with diverse cultural traditions that vary by region. In the mountains and valleys beyond the big coastal cities, weddings are often as much about two families coming together as they are about two individuals coming together. Although aspects of modern wedding customs common in Lebanon’s large … Continue reading Episode 24 – Traditional village weddings
Olives hold a significant role in Lebanese culture due to their agricultural, culinary, and health benefits. The harvesting and storing of olives still follows centuries-old processes and is a popular social activity. In this episode, Leen tells us about the role of olives in Lebanese culture and takes us with her and her family on … Continue reading Episode 20 – Olive picking
Back in the day, the streets of Beirut’s neighborhoods were often watched over and protected by men known as “Qabadayat”, which roughly translates as valiant men. They often helped people in their community and resolved local disputes. Qabadayat were pillars of tradition and social customs. They often played important roles in organizing celebrations and funerals … Continue reading Episode 19 – Beirut’s “Qabadayat”
In this episode we will be speaking about a few common proverbs used in Lebanon. Proverbs are used a lot in the Lebanese dialect and daily conversations, and many of them are hard to understand without knowing the story behind them or at least learning their explanation. The proverbs we will speak about in this … Continue reading Episode 7 – Four common proverbs