Ma'loula

Ma'loula ܡܥܠܘܠܐ معلولا
Overview of Ma'loula
Ma'loula Location in Syria
Coordinates: 33°50′39″N 36°32′48″E / 33.84417°N 36.54667°E / 33.84417; 36.54667
Country	Syria
Governorate	Rif Dimashq Governorate
District	Al-Tall District
Elevation	1,500 m (4,921 ft)

Name

Ma'loula or Maaloula (Aramaic: ܡܥܠܘܠܐ‎, Arabic: معلولا‎, Ma‘lūlā, from the Aramaic word ܡܥܠܐ, ma‘lā, meaning 'entrance') is a town in Syria until recently dominated by speakers of Western Neo-Aramaic.

General

The town is located 56 km to the northeast of Damascus, and built into the rugged mountainside, at an altitude of more than 1500 meters.

Population

As of 2005, the town has a population of 2,000.^[1]. However, during summer, it increases to about 6000, due to people coming from Damascus for vacations.^[2] Half a century ago, 15,000 people lived in Maalula.^[3]

Religiously, the population consists of both Christians (mainly Melkite Greek Catholic) and Muslims. For the Muslim inhabitants, the legacy is all the more remarkable given that they were not Arabized, unlike most other Syrians who like them were Islamized over the centuries but also adopted Arabic and shifted to an "Arab" ethnic identity.

Language

With two other nearby towns Bakh'a (Arabic: بخعة‎) and Jubba'din (Arabic: جبّعدين‎‎), it is the only place where a dialect of the Western branch of the Aramaic language is still spoken. Scholars have determined that the Aramaic of Jesus belonged to this particular branch as well, however, as many media coverage has erroneously stated^[4], it isn't the exact dialect Jesus of Nazareth spoke during the first century^[5]. Ma'loula represents, therefore, an important source for anthropological linguistic studies regarding first century Aramaic, hence, Jesus' own Aramaic dialect. The distance from other major cities and its isolating geological features only aided the longevity of this linguistic oasis for over one and a half thousand years. However, modern roads and transportation, as well as accessibility to Arabic-language television and print media - and for some time until recently, also state policy - have eroded that linguistic heritage.

Monasteries

There are two important monasteries in Ma`loula: Greek Catholic Mar Sarkis and Greek Orthodox Mar Thecla.

Mar Sarkis

One of the oldest surviving monasteries in Syria. It was built on the site of a pagan temple, and has elements which go back to the fifth to sixth century Byzantine period.^[6] Mar Sarkis is the Arabic name for Saint Sergius, a Roman soldier who was executed for his Christian beliefs. This monastery still maintains its solemn historical character.

Mar Taqla

St. Thecla Monastery

This monastery holds the remains of St. Taqla (Thecla); daughter of one of Seleucid princes, and pupil of St. Paul. Also to have been thought as a disciple and married to Paul. According to legend, in the 1st century C.E, St. Taqla was being pursued by soldiers of her father to capture her because of her Christian faith. She came upon a mountain, and after praying, the mountain split open and let her escape through. The town gets its name from this gap or entrance in the mountain. However, there are many variations to this story among the residents of Ma`loula.

Other Monasteries

There are also the remains of numerous monasteries, convents, churches, shrines and sanctuaries. There are some that lie in ruins, while others continue to stand, defying age. Many pilgrims come to Ma`loula, both Muslim and Christian, and they go there to gain blessings and make offerings.

See also

• Western Neo-Aramaic.

References

1. ^ Robert F. Worth (2008-04-22). "Presumed language of Jesus fading away in Syria". International Herald Tribune. pp. 2. http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/04/22/mideast/syria.php. Retrieved 2008-04-22. 
2. ^ [1]
3. ^ http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2003-03-12/news/0303120198_1_aramaic-arabic-language
4. ^ Black, Ian (2009-04-14). "Endangered Aramaic language makes a comeback in Syria". The Guardian (London). http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/apr/14/aramaic-revival-syria. 
5. ^ http://antitattoo.com/312485-Modern-Aramaic-is-Not-the-Language-of-Jesus.html
6. ^ Ross Burns, The Monuments of Syria, I. B. Taurus, 3rd edition 2009, p. 193.

External links

• A web site dedicated to Maaloula
• New York Times article on Aramaic language in Ma'loula and other villages in Syria
• Syrian village clings to Aramaic language at Al Jazeera English
• An episode from Australian program, Foreign Correspondent, about Maaloula.
• The dialect of Ma’lula. Grammar, vocabulary and texts. (1897-1898) By Jean Parisot (in French): Parts 1, 2, 3 at the Internet Archive.

Coordinates: 33°50′39″N 36°32′48″E / 33.84417°N 36.54667°E / 33.84417; 36.54667