The elites, traditionally known as the notables (known in Arabic as a'yan, wujaha', zu'ama), headed these families, and specialized in specific occupations.
The family’s most notable figure is the poet Abd al-Rahim Mahmoud, whose works became iconic for their themes of resistance and national pride.
Abd al-Rahim’s poetry, including the famous poem The Martyr, continues to resonate deeply in Palestinian culture.
The Al-Fuqaha family holds a respected place in Palestinian history for their role in preserving the literary and cultural heritage of the region.
[6][7] The Abu-Ezam family owned and operated multiple businesses that ranged from the manufacturing of halva, a sweet confection popular in the Levant, to construction materials.
Migrating from Balqa, Transjordan to Marj Ibn Amer in 1670, they rose to economic prominence in Sanjak Jenin by the 19th century.
[11] The Makhamra family, prominent in Yatta and neighboring localities in the southern Hebron Hills, claims descent from a Jewish tribe expelled from Khaybar, in the Arabian Peninsula.
There are also reports of the clan maintaining Jewish customs, including lighting candles during Hanukkah and abstaining from camel meat, which is prevalent in the area.