Mazraat es-Siyad

Mazraat es-Siyad (also transliterated "Mazraet es-Siyed";  ) is a small town in the highlands of the Byblos District in the Mount Lebanon Governorate, Lebanon. The town is away from Beirut and stands at an elevation of 1,250 meters above sea level.
History.
"Mazraat es-Siyad" translates as "grange of the masters" in Arabic. It is named after the Shia siyyad (masters) of the al-Husseini family whose ancestor, Sayyed Hussein al-Husseini, was the first person to reside in the area after he restored an ancient monastery. The monastery was bestowed to him by Sheikh Nawfal Ibrahim al-Khoury during the Mamluk era (13th–15th centuries).
Geography.
Mazraat es-Siyyad is located in the Byblos District in the Mount Lebanon Governorate. It is 58 kilometers north of the capital Beirut. It spans an area of and stands at an altitude of 1,250 meters above sea level. The municipal area of Mazraat es-Siyad includes the hamlets of Abboud, Mazraat er-Rmeileh, Sharbineh and Bolhos.
Demographics.
The population lives in a total of 220 houses in the town. There were 1,250 voters from Mazraat es-Siyad registered in 2005. The largest families in order of size according to the 2005 election records are al-Husseini, Karkaba, Bou-Gharios, Abi-Acar, Obeid, Gharios, Zaarour, Barakat, Bou-Salman, Karam, Ziadé and El-Khoury. Other families include some of these families' original last names such as Salamé (to Abi-Acar), Oueiss (to Bou-Gharios), as well as Medawar, Maatouk, Bou-Yazbek and Aouad.
Government.
Mazraat es-Siyad municipality was established in 2004. The municipal council currently has twelve members. In addition to the municipal council, Mazraat es-Siyad has a three-member mayoral council headed by a "mukhtar" (headman).
Economy.
Agriculture, namely pomology is the main economic activity in the Byblos highlands. Mazraet es-Siyad has many natural water sources, fertile soil and arable land. Residents also depend on permanent jobs, as there are 15 small commercial and industrial companies, in addition to two hotels, the Shangri-La and the Monte Carlo.
Culture.
Festivities.
Mazraat es-Siyad celebrates the Feast of the Lady of Salvation ("Saydet an-Najat") on 8 September and Saint Abdas on 31 August with traditional dinners and festivities.