All
I am aware that most of the traffic on this list is of academic
nature...so I do apologise if this is considered OT!
There has recently been an interesting article about the way the Druze
divided since 1967 between Israel and Siria, are still managing to
arrange marriages by shouting across valleys. Extracts below
regards
maurizio
"Shouting for marriage and the hope for peace"
http://www.iht.com/articles/2004/11/05/opinion/edshanker.html
[...] These marriages take place at regular intervals between the Druze
living on either side of the cease-fire line between Syria and Israel
in the Golan Heights. [...] Of an estimated 700,000 members [...] some
10,000 live in the occupied Golan Heights.
The territorial dispute between Syria and Israel has remained
unresolved since 1967, and in the middle of the only road between Syria
and the Heights, the UN military police post forms the venue for
marriages between Druze caught on the divide.
[...] Marriages they say, are made in heaven, but those solemnized in
this remote part of the world are arranged in the "Shouting Valley" at
Wadi Sulah. It is about a 45-minute drive north through the Golan hills
passing through many Druze villages and UN and Syrian police posts. On
the Syrian side a huge platform has been built that can accommodate
about 200 people. Across the cease-fire line, in front, clearly visible
about 110 meters away, is the bustling Druze village of Madjal Shams.
The Druze from the village of Haddar on the Syrian side and the
villagers of Madjal Shams across the fence, arrange marriages by
shouting to each other through handheld microphones. Despite the long
years of dispute and disagreement they continue to forge bonds with
each other through marriage. The Internet and satellite phones have
reduced the dependence on microphones, but on a Friday one can still
find them congregating there to reach out to each other.
The Shouting Valley is laden with olive and fruit trees. A cool breeze
blows across the mountains. A lone UN post stands about 50 meters from
the platform, and one can see soldiers from a different part of the
world sitting behind binoculars. Despite this long and relentless
vigil, relationships are forged and cemented beyond boundaries -
keeping alive the hope for eventual peace
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