Deir
Ghassanah
In this chapter, Mourid
Barghouti describes his emotional return to his ancestral village, Deir
Ghassanah. The journey is filled with nostalgia, mixed emotions, and the
realization that the place he left as a child has transformed with the passage
of time and the reality of the Israeli occupation. Barghouti begins by
explaining the historical significance of Deir Ghassanah and the Barghouti
family. He touches on the family’s large presence in the village and
surrounding areas, recounting the origins of their name. The house where
Barghouti was born, Dar Ra’d, stands central in his memory. Its courtyard and
large fig tree, which fed generations of his family, have become symbols of the
past. Upon his return, however, the fig tree has been cut down, an act that
signals the changes and losses that have taken place over the years.
As Barghouti walks
through Deir Ghassanah, he recalls his childhood experiences in the village,
including the family dynamics and relationships with neighbors. He visits his
family’s home and reflects on how much the village has aged. Many homes are now
vacant, with families scattered across the globe due to exile, death, or
economic migration. The village, once vibrant, now carries the weight of
absence, seen in both the physical landscape and the emotional void left by those
who can no longer return. Barghouti visits his aunt, Umm Talal, the last
remaining resident of Dar Ra’d. She speaks of the past, recounting the
hardships that have befallen the village and their family. The intimate nature
of their conversation highlights the pain of displacement, as they remember
family members lost to death or distant lands.
The chapter also delves
into the struggles of daily life in the village. Most residents rely on olive
farming for their livelihood, but the Israeli occupation has severely
restricted the village’s ability to develop or expand. The people of Deir
Ghassanah face constant challenges, such as restrictions on land use and
building, making it difficult to sustain their way of life. Despite this, some
villagers, like Abu Hazim, have managed to create small initiatives like a
computer training center to help the younger generation. As Barghouti walks
through the village, he is struck by how much it has remained the same in
certain aspects, yet changed so drastically in others. The occupation has left
a profound mark on Deir Ghassanah, stalling its growth and development. The
chapter ends with a bittersweet reflection on the past, the irreversible nature
of time, and the deep-rooted desire to see the village and its people move
toward a better future. Barghouti’s return to Deir Ghassanah is not just a
journey home, but an exploration of the deep emotional scars left by
displacement and occupation. His reflections on the village mirror the broader
Palestinian experience of exile, loss, and the longing for a homeland that may
never be fully reclaimed.