Agriculture in Gaza Villages Prior to the 1948 Palestinian Exodus: A Study of Oral History

Abstract

This paper deals with the subject of agriculture in Gaza villages before the exodus of 1948 caused by Israeli occupying forces. The research has revealed the conditions which were experienced by the inhabitants of these villages in all facets, including the influence of the climate and topography of these villages on agriculture, farming methods and techniques which were used by the Palestinian farmers, as well as the topographical and political problems faced by these farmers. The study has also revealed – through more than 50 oral interviews with farmers who were forced to immigrate to Gaza Strip _ a great deal of Palestinian folk heritage , including songs and proverbs, which were part of their literary life in their happy and rural agricultural community.

Keywords

• Agriculture, Gaza, immigration, interview, village.