Princess Nasab Al-Tanukhiya, a princess from Lebanon (1546–1633), wife of Prince Korkmaz Maan and mother of Prince Fakhr al-Din II.
Born in the town of Abey to a respected family, she received a high moral upbringing and was distinguished by her wisdom, rationality, and courage. Upon marrying Prince Korkmaz, son of Fakhr al-Din I, she contributed to many public affairs alongside her husband and was known as the "Great Lady"; foreign historians referred to her as the "Sultana."
Her husband passed away in 1585, leaving behind two young sons, Fakhr al-Din Maan and Yunus. Fearing that the Ottoman governors would harm them, she placed them under the protection of a trusted man and instructed her brother, Prince Saif al-Din Al-Tanukhi, to secure the Shouf region until her son Fakhr al-Din reached adulthood.
Prince Saif al-Din took the boys under his wing, raised them, and prepared them for leadership and command. When Fakhr al-Din came of age, he assumed the emirate of the country and undertook significant activities; he relied heavily on his mother, consulted her in all his affairs, held her in high respect and esteem, and sought her opinion before embarking on any major action.
When he traveled to Italy, leaving the country in the care of his brother Yunus and his son Ali, Sitt Nasab—the great supporter and faithful pillar—guided her son and grandson with wisdom and rationality. She was in her seventies while Fakhr al-Din was away.
The Ottoman governor of Damascus, Hafiz Pasha, heavily oppressed the Druze, so she led a delegation of the country's notables, met with Governor Ahmed Pasha al-Hafiz, and tactfully and boldly requested that he stop the persecution of the people and withdraw the armies from the region. Ahmed al-Hafiz demanded that she pay a large sum and stay in Damascus as a hostage until the money was obtained. She remained there with thirty of the community's elders. In the meantime, al-Hafiz was dismissed and replaced by Mehmed Pasha Jerkes, who returned her and her entourage, honored and respected, to the Shouf in 1615, along with a decree of pardon for Prince Fakhr al-Din.
Until her final days, she continued to support and back her son, the Prince, advising him on justice, patience, and deliberation. Alongside her rationality, good management, and wisdom, she was a woman of culture and knowledge. Father Mariti said of her that she was the most beautiful of her peers among the Druze, truthful in her speech, bold in her stances, and well-versed in the Arabic language. She was also a poet and commanded the respect of all women and men.
Reference: The Druze Tawhid Encyclopedia
