A.E. Krymsky as an Ethnographer of Lebanon

Abstract

The article discusses ethnographic materials contained in the letters of A.E. Krymsky from Lebanon and comprising data that disclose the peculiarities of the culture and mode of life of Arabs-Christians. The scholar’s correspondence tells us about traditional folklore, food, housing, clothing, hygiene products of the Lebanese, their mentality, views on family, parenting, attitude toward women, and interfaith differences with Muslims. Particular attention is paid to the data on folk festivals, weddings and funerals among the Orthodox Christian Arabs of Lebanon which have not been thoroughly explored to date.