Written Works

Archibald Clinton Harte on Gibran's Funeral Procession from Beirut to Becharreh, 11th October, 1931, p. 1.

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[...] The nearest village to The Cedars is Becharreh which is about ten kilometres away and is the birthplace of Khalil Gibran who recently died in America. Gibran first left Becharreh for the United States at the age of 12 with his parents and returned at the age of 16 and lived in his native village until he was 20 when he and his mother returned to America. In America he was befriended by a good woman and so went forward with his studies in art and literature in particular and rewarded those who had been interested in him by being a success. When his native village heard of his death and his desire to be buried in his home town, they interviewed the French High Commissioner who responded splendidly. The Fabre Line brought the body to Beirut gratis and at Beirut the body was received by the High Commissioner, Army officials, boy scouts, etc. The procession from Beirut via Tripoli to Becharreh was a triumphal procession. At every village there were ever-green arches and the procession tarried while village notables made speeches. The funeral procession was the joyous kind of funeral that one thinks one would like. The bedouin rode to and fro giving displays of horsemanship, banners were flying, bands were playing, and bells were ringing as far as the homecoming of a victor. There were constant accessions to the train of automobiles and the home village was crowded with delegations from villages as far as 50 and 60 miles away. One said, "It is a pity that Khalil did not come home and learn what we thought of him but we are glad to have him rest among us and we rejoice in his success." I found only a few who knew his book "Jesus the Son of Man", and only two who had read "The Prophet". [...]