Anjarian Products and Common Occupations

When the Mousadaghians arrived to Anjar, which was a semi-desert at the time, they had no means to work. In the first year, men were involved in construction work, they had to build their homes. Some of the men enlisted in the French army to provide for their families.

In Mousadagh, most people worked in agriculture. They had been involved in land cultivating for centuries.

During the first few years, comb making started in Anjar. It was one of the most common handicrafts in Mousa Dagh. As time passed by, land cultivating became a common occupation and it developed rapidly specially after the immigration of Anjarians to Armenia (in the mid 50s), when the apple gardens were established.

Thus, a miracle happened.The semi-desert soon became a green land! Today, people find it hard to believe that so much change had been made possible in a short period of time.

Two generations with their "pedad"s (spades) succeeded in making Anjar green. Here, the Mousadaghians planted mainly fruit trees and this was to become a major source of income for them.

Anjar has vast lands for cultivation. There are around 1200 watered lands (7000 m2 each) and 800 arid lands (4000 m2 each). Two thirds of these lands are planted with fruit trees and the rest vegetables. The vast majority of the tree gardens are planted with apple trees and the rest are pear, plum, peach, and persimmon gardens as well as vineyards. Some people have also planted "pardi" (poplar) trees for the purpose of selling them for wood production.

Besides the fruit trees, the Anjarians also cultivate vegetables like tomato, egg plant, pepper, cucumber, lettuce, cabbage, gourd, kidney bean, and artichoke.

Farms are also a good source of income for the Anjarians. Dairies were established and milk production developed. The daily production of milk reached to 2.5 tons in 1970. Anjar had its milk cooperation.

The Lebanese civil war had its negative effect on the farm industry of Anjar but in the last few years, the farm industry has reflourished although the farms are located far from the village in the vicinity of the "Shamsin" water pond, by the special arrangement of the Municipality.

Other than agricultural activities, Anjarians took hold of many other professions. They became good comb makers, shoemakers, blacksmiths, and carpenters. As time passed by, the first two professions faded away and others occupied their places, like goldsmith art and mechanics.

With the general flourishing of the village, restaurants and coffee shops were opened near the spring, which have become an excellent source of income for the Anjarians since.