Palestinian beer on tap during West Bank village's Oktoberfest

Published: 2007-09-12

TAYBEH, West Bank (CNS) -- Beer flowed freely, the smell of grilled meat wafted in the air and the beat of the traditional "darbuka" drum resounded through the hillside as this all-Christian Palestinian village celebrated its version of the German Oktoberfest. Later, when evening fell over the village and people had their fill of sticky Arabic sweets and custard-filled doughnuts, the drum beats were replaced by the pounding sounds of Palestinian hip-hop groups while young, fashionably dressed Palestinians danced to the hypnotic rhythms. The Taybeh Oktoberfest has been celebrated in September for the past two years out of deference to Muslims who will mark their monthlong Ramadan fast in October. Some 5,500 people -- including members of the international community -- attended this year's festival Sept. 8-9 in Taybeh.

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