Tunisia is the northernmost country in the African continent. Tunisia has been inhabited by indigenous Berber people since ancient times. Let's get acquainted with the culture of the people of Tunisia. Stay with Saed News.
Tunisia is a country in North Africa that borders the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahara Desert. Given its strategic position in North Africa, Tunisia has been exposed to the influence of various civilizations and cultures over its 3,000-year history, making it a tourist destination and a hub of cultural diversity. The culture of the people of Tunisia is very rich, and like other countries, they follow specific customs. The traditions of the people of Tunisia are fascinating and visually appealing. Interestingly, there are also some shared customs with us, which are quite noteworthy.
Language and Religion of the People of Tunisia: The official language of Tunisia is Modern Standard Arabic, but Tunisians speak a special dialect of Arabic, which is close to the Maltese dialect. French is also widely spoken. According to the latest survey conducted by the Tunisian government in 2007 and presented to the Francophone Organization, 63.6% of the population can speak French.
98% of the population practices Sunni Islam, while the rest are Christian or Jewish. Judaism is the third-largest religion, with between 1,000 and 1,400 members. One-third of the Jewish population lives in the capital and surrounding areas, while the rest live on the island of Djerba, which has 39 synagogues. The Jewish community in Sfax and Hammam-Lif dates back 2,600 years. Djerba, located in the Gulf of Gabes, is home to the El Ghriba Synagogue, one of the oldest and continuously used synagogues in the world. Many Jews consider it a pilgrimage site, and due to its ancient history and the legend that it was built using stones from King Solomon's Temple, celebrations are held there once a year. Although reports of anti-Semitic violence have been made, Tunisia and Morocco are said to be the Arab countries with the highest acceptance of their Jewish populations.
Culture of the People of Tunisia:
Clothing: Today, women in most major cities of Tunisia, influenced by Europeans, wear modern clothing. However, in rural areas, they still wear colorful Berber-style clothing and adorn themselves with many pieces of jewelry. The traditional clothing for men in Tunisia is called "Jebba," and for women, it is called "Kaftan" (also known as "Qaftan" in Arabic). The Kaftan is a long garment decorated with gold and precious stones, and its material can vary based on the occasion, including silk, cotton, or wool. Women of noble families used to wear this garment at their wedding ceremonies up until the 19th century, and today, some women in cities like Hammamet and Sousse still choose it as their wedding dress. You can also buy these traditional clothes as souvenirs.
Greetings and Social Etiquette: In Tunisia, the greeting customs do not differ significantly whether it is a man greeting a man, a woman greeting a woman, or a man greeting a woman. Tunisians warmly shake hands with each other. However, when a man greets a woman, it is better to wait for the woman to extend her hand and show a desire to greet. There are also some religious people in Tunisia who follow different greeting customs and never shake hands between men and women. It is important to note that if someone greets you and extends their hand, but you do not respond or refuse the handshake, it is considered very rude and disrespectful. Tunisians are accustomed to greeting each other, even if they do not know each other well.
Marriage Customs: Tunisians have their own unique customs regarding marriage. On the wedding night, the bride traditionally changes three outfits. This practice dates back to past times when brides would sew beautiful handmade dresses for their wedding, which they wore on the night of their marriage. Another custom is that before marriage, the families of both parties prepare a marriage contract, and the engagement night is a ceremonial occasion where the groom’s family visits the bride's house and brings gifts for the bride. Interestingly, in Tunisian custom, the bride is responsible for preparing all the wedding dowry, while the groom's role is to provide the accommodation and buy gifts and gold for the bride. Wedding ceremonies in Tunisia take place over two days: one traditionally and one with a more modern approach.
Traditional Tunisian Foods: Agriculture plays a significant role in the Tunisian economy, with major products such as olives, fruits, vegetables, and wheat, which are used to prepare various Tunisian dishes. Tunisia is one of the world’s primary olive oil producers. "Couscous" (Arabic: Bulghur) is the national dish and is served not only on regular days but also with various accompaniments during special celebrations. People living along the coasts consume more seafood and eggs, while those in rural areas prefer drinking tea instead of coffee.
Family and Social Etiquette: Family holds a special place in Tunisian society. When visiting a Tunisian home, it is customary to bring a gift such as sweets, chocolates, cakes, fruits, or flowers. If your gift is not opened immediately, do not be surprised, as it is not common to open presents right after receiving them. Additionally, some Tunisian gatherings are not mixed-gender, so be sure to confirm whether your spouse is invited as well. It is also important to dress well to show respect to your hosts. When dining, the guest's seat is next to the host, and a small sink may be brought to wash hands before and after the meal. Tunisians pride themselves on being good hosts, often placing a communal dish on the table, and you are expected to serve yourself using your right hand.
Celebrating in Tunisia: Tunisians use various signs to express their feelings, and often, they do not need to use words to convey their sentiments. For example, when congratulating someone, they typically remove their hat. Even if they are not wearing a hat, they use a similar gesture to express congratulations. Before traveling to Tunisia, it might be helpful to learn some of these gestures to better communicate with the people of Tunisia.
Ramadan in Tunisia: The holy month of Ramadan serves as a unifying force among Islamic countries and connects Muslims worldwide. However, each nation, including Tunisia, has its own unique customs for observing this sacred month. Tunisian families start preparing for Ramadan weeks in advance, which has resulted in a distinctive subculture. These preparations culminate in the celebration of "Laylat al-Qadr" (the Night of Decree). The last night of Ramadan is celebrated as "Eid al-Fitr," a public holiday in Tunisia. Some Tunisians engage in house cleaning, redecorating, or purchasing new goods in preparation for Ramadan.
In conclusion, 99% of the people in Tunisia are Arabic speakers. Genetic studies have shown that they are not racially homogenous but rather a blend of different ethnic groups who have migrated to North Africa from Asia and Europe throughout the country’s long and turbulent history.
