About Kassem Hejeij

Qasem Hojeij: An Intellectual and Historian Dedicated to Documenting Southern Oral Literature

Qasem Hojeij, a cultivated intellectual and historian, specializes in collecting and documenting the oral literature of southern Lebanon, specifically the Jabal Amel region, known as South Lebanon for just a century.

Born in Deir Antar, he lived there and studied in the neighboring village of Jouaya before emigrating to Africa to join his brothers. After decades abroad, he established his life back in Lebanon, despite having the means to live anywhere in the world. His love for his homeland and its people ensured he never left them except for short visits to relatives abroad.

A passionate southerner, Hojeij serves as the mayor of Deir Antar in southern Lebanon. He is one of many intellectuals from the South who left as children to the remote lands of Africa, where they carved their path to prominence. Today, Qasem Hejeij is regarded as one of the foremost chroniclers of Jabal Amel’s oral literature. He is celebrated for his cultural and developmental contributions, as highlighted by researcher Moussa Yassin, who credits Hejeij’s unwavering support for his own archaeological discoveries.

Moussa Yassin emphasizes Hojeij’s invaluable role in preserving the oral history of Jabal Amel, documenting it through personal efforts not only in their hometown of Deir Antar but across much of Jabal Amel and Lebanon’s oral folklore.

In Deir Antar, often dubbed “The State of Deir Antar” or at least “The Government of Deir Antar,” the village boasts grand mansions, luxury cars, and self-sufficient infrastructure including roads, sewage, and electricity. This prosperity often leads parliamentarians and ministries to redirect projects and aid to other towns.

What is the secret behind this small village in the marginalized border district of Bint Jbeil? Moussa Yassin attributes it to “the benevolence of its mayor, Qasem Hejeij.”

Driving toward Deir Antar, whether from the north or south, one is greeted by palatial homes and thriving businesses, visible in neighboring villages like Al-Majadel, Jouaya, Hariss, Tebnine, and Khirbet Silm. At the Beir Al-Salasil junction on the Al-Borj Al-Shamali–Beit Yahoun highway, a large arch welcomes visitors to the Union of Al-Qala’a Municipalities, encompassing 12 towns, including Deir Antar. To the right, a sign welcomes you to the village. The long highway leading to the village center is divided by a median and marked with speed limit signs. Our guide points out that the entrance is one of the many projects executed by the Hejeij family.

Here stands the home of the mayor since 1998, Qasem Hojeij, also known as “Abu Ali.”

Entering the Home of Abu Ali

Upon entering his home, one might struggle to identify Qasem Hejeij among those gathered. Known for his work on southern folklore and historical literature, Hejeij maintains a modest presence in the media. The assembled guests don’t fit the image of wealthy elites. They converse in a heavily southern dialect, sharing jokes and eating traditional dishes like mujaddara and tomato kibbeh. Among them is someone with multiple mobile phones lined up on a couch, incessantly ringing, as he wears casual slippers. They call him “Abu Ali.”

Years ago, Hejeij settled permanently between Beirut and Deir Antar, except for short trips to visit relatives abroad. Now retired, he dedicates his time to literature, history, and his beloved village.