Lebanon

Abstract

In many respects, Lebanon is unique among the Arab states of the Middle East, and this uniqueness is reflected in its dance traditions, particularly in the number of professional performances given. Lebanon is a country more urban than rural, although most residents of Beirut, its capital, have some village relations or associations. Because the nation is small, no village is more than a few miles from Beirut or from such urban centers as Sidon or Tripoli. Lebanon\u27s population is highly educated, and nomads (bedouins) account for only a miniscule percentage. The country\u27s many religious groups and sects--mainly Christian and Islamic--seem to have had little effect on the dance traditions that are common to all Lebanese