Melek – Mashaa’: Exploring Non-Property and Land Relations in the Levant
In Afterall issue 55/56 titled ‘Out of Place,’ an artist insert delves into the Arabic term 'Melek' (property) and its derivatives—Malak (king), Malaak (angel), Maalek (owner)—to scrutinize themes of ownership and its erasure. The discussion frames 'Melek' as 'Ma laka' ('What Yours'), highlighting the absence of 'Houwa' (specific object) in the concept of ownership, while non-ownership (Al la-molkiah) resonates. The piece connects to Islamic theology, where possession (maskoun) suggests a haunting by spirits. It also presents the Mashaa’, a communal land tenure system in the Levant, proposing a transformation site in northern Lebanon for landless families. In collaboration with lawyer Maya Dghaidi and historian Wissam Saade, the project examines usership through the Ottoman Land Code (1858) and critiques legal constraints on land. The author suggests using filmmaking to de-commodify land and reflects on personal and political ties, including support for the Kurdish women's movement and the film series 'Who is Afraid of Ideology?' (2017–22).
Key facts
- The artist insert is part of Afterall issue 55/56 'Out of Place'.
- Melek means 'property' in Arabic; variations include Malak (king), Malaak (angel), Maalek (owner/sovereign).
- The etymology of Melek is 'Ma laka' ('What Yours'), with the omitted pronoun 'Houwa'.
- Mashaa' is a communal land tenure system in the Levant beyond private property.
- A specific land in northern Lebanon, 400 meters above sea level, previously a quarry, is proposed for transformation into a Mashaa'.
- Wael Yammine from SOILS Permaculture Association Lebanon tested the soil and proposed a rehabilitation plan.
- Lawyer Maya Dghaidi and historian Wissam Saade are involved in exploring legal transformation to Mashaa'.
- Private property in Mount Lebanon was institutionalized in the 1920s during the French mandate.
- The Ottoman Land Code (1858) is referenced for reverting to usership.
- Pelshin Tolhildan is a guerrilla fighter and writer whose work on social ecology and usership inspired the author.
- The film series 'Who is Afraid of Ideology?' (2017–22) transmits Pelshin's thoughts.
- The text discusses solidarity with the Kurdish autonomous women's movement and feminist ecology.
Entities
Artists
- Pelshin Tolhildan
- Wael Yammine
- Maya Dghaidi
- Wissam Saade
- Dilar Dirik
- Meral Çiçek
- Karl Marx
- Gamal Abdel Nasser
- Hariri
Institutions
- Afterall
- SOILS Permaculture Association Lebanon
- 98weeks
- Kurdish autonomous women's movement
Locations
- Lebanon
- Mount Lebanon
- northern Lebanon
- Ottoman Empire
- Levant
- Bakur (Turkey)
- Syria
- Qandil Mountains
- Iraqi Kurdistan
- South Kurdistan
- Beirut
- Palestine
Sources
- Afterall —