NOMADS OF LEBANON: THE DOM The Dom are a separate ethnic group but share with the Bedouin marginalization as a common trait. Akkar is home to a large number of Dom families who live in very harsh conditions. • Dom tribes have Indo-Iranian origins. Also referred to as Ghajar, Nawar, Riyess*, they all speak Levantine Arabic dialect with a Syrian accent. Some of them still use their distinct language referred to as Domari. • They migrated to the Levant centuries ago but maintained a strong sense of belonging to their community. Endogamy is widespread among them. • Akkar has a significant Dom community. Although present on almost all of its territory, the Dom live in population clusters around the lake of El Kouweichra, on the Kouweikhat hills, around Halba (mainly in Koucha), in Abboudieh and in the peri-urban region of Coastal Qaye’. • Dom are subject to discrimination, with many preferring to hide their origins to avoid further stigma. They define themselves as “Lebanese,” “stateless” or “Arab Ruhhal”, which means Arab Nomads. This allusion to an Arab ancestry is an indication of how Dom attempt to connect their communal attachment with a “prestigious” origin. In this respect, 7% of Dom respondents say they have Bedouin (Arab) origins. 111 surveyed Dom The main survey included 111 Dom, making up 19% of the stateless respondents. While answering the survey, 76% of Dom respondents did not mention their Dom origins, despite being identified by their peers as belonging to the same community. • Many Dom continue to live according to a nomadic lifestyle. Those who do, wander through the country between the South, Tripoli, the Beqaa and Akkar. • The Dom are sociologically, economically and culturally diverse. Many families are part of groups of musicians, making a living by performing as drummers and flute players at local weddings. A minority of these people became relatively wealthy but tend to maintain a similar way of living. Some women are clearly distinguishable by their traditional clothing. Reference: Terre des Hommes, Insan (2011). The Dom People and Their Children in Lebanon. * Some or all of these words can have a derogatory connotation for Lebanese. Yet, many Dom use them to define themselves. © 2021 Siren Associates. All Rights Reserved.