Beit Chabab is renowned for its historic handicraft industry that gives it a sense of tradition and a character that differentiates it from other villages in the Metn district.
Beit Chababco whose name when derived from its Syriac origin means the neighbor’s house.
In parliamentarian elections, the village does count as primary objective for the candidates to win as much as they can. The reason being is that Beit Chabab has its own villagers, who, unlike other inhabitants in other Metn villages, do not leave their homes to settle in other cities, neither do they abandon their domains for the suburbs. Therefore the village is known by these deep-rooted residents.
However, the village itself suffers from huge emigration, though the last wave of migration was historic, meaning that the Chababis migrants had departed a long time ago.
Out of the 5000 registered inhabitants (eligible voters), only 2500 voted in the last municipal and parliamentarian elections. Therefore the remaining 2000 to 2500 are now estimated as migrants, with Africa deemed as their main venue.
The village itself competes with Baskinta as being the largest in the north Metn. Although Baskinta now benefits from the lots that were recently added to its inhabited land, Beit Chabab exceeds its competitor by its land that spreads to include the suburbs of Quonaitra, Chawieh and Mar Boutros.
Characterized by its traditional old houses, the village attracts the attention of both the international and local media. Many of the old, famous and grand mansions were portrayed or drawn up by artists who represented the village as a fine symbol of Lebanese tradition, a feature also found in other village like Aintoura, Beit Mery, Dhour Chweir.
It is often said that Beit Chabab is among the seven most beautiful villages found in Lebanon.
The history of the Beit Chabab’s handicraft industries, mentioned above, dates back to the 18th century.
Here, the manufacturers of the pottery, bell, textile and silk industries represent well known features of the town and are mentioned in almost every student history book used in Lebanese schools.
This industry, however, suffers today from local and international competition. The current situation of the industries is unknown. Many were facing extinction and many failed to find even local consumers.
The old houses that were used to host the textile inventory, known in Arabic as DIMA, now lie forsaken.
The Tirki family which has traditionally worked in this domain has both its older and younger generation members located outside Lebanon.
The Naffa’a family still working in the bell industry now faces competition from the more modern and electrically run manufacturers.
Finally, the village inhabitants themselves are religious minded and true believers. Fifteen old churches are found within the village, as well as a monastery with a well -established clergy personnel. It is rare to find in Lebanon a village with such a high number of churches.
Furthermore, the village lends semblance to that of a much larger town. There are three colleges, one governmental and two private schools, one special hospital for the handicapped, one bank, and a fitness facility in addition to a sporting club.
Thanks to these social utilities and features, the village continually attracts outside inhabitants and benefits financially by providing them all the services they need.
