Berbers of North Africa : retaining their cultural identity

When the Phoenicians first found their way to the new settlement in Carthage, they encountered local tribesmen who had been around in North Africa centuries ago.  After Carthaginians, there came other colonists, including Romans, Arabs, Turks and French, to the Maghreb area.  The original tribesmen, Berbers, were marginalized to the mountains and deserts.  Nowadays, Berbers are scattered in the southern parts of Tunisia, Algeria, Libya and Morocco.



(Berber man standing in his village in the mountain oasis)

(Berber woman at work)

The Berber people have their own languages.  Many still maintain their nomadic or pastoral life in the Mountain Atlas ranges and the Sahara deserts.  They survive in these challenging environments and try to retain their own culture.



(Berber tent in the semi-desert area)

(Berber cave dwellings in Matmata)

During our trip to South Tunisia, we came across few Berber villages and some of their art works.  Even though their homes are now far away from the sea, they still have fish as their symbol of fortune. 

(Fish motif in the entrance of a Berber house)

(Fish and triangle symbols are used in Berber decorative items) 

Berbers also like to use triangles and camels as their decorative motifs.  Berbers make carpets for the use in their tents and dwellings.  We have brought home two Berber carpets from this trip.

(Decorative items for Berber women)

(Carpet with Berber decorative motif)

Berber people are minority in the North Africa countries.  Younger generations are more likely to learn other languages, such as Arab and French, and move to cities for better livings.  Berber identities are in danger of dilution.  In recent years, there are new social movements among the Berbers.  They are trying to have their children learning the Berber languages and cultural heritages.  If you are interested to know more about the Berbers, you can read the book from Brett, Michael and Elizabeth Fentress, The Berbers. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishers, 1996.

Tunisia artifacts : East and West cultural mosaics

The long history of Tunisia and its interactions with different cultures create many beautiful and interesting artifacts.  You can see the cultural influence on these artifacts across different cultures at different time periods.  In this page, we share some of the artifacts that we saw during our trip to Tunisia.

From the Punic city, Kerkouane, in the Cape Bon, we saw many historical artifacts of 4th to 3rd century BC.  These artifacts show high skill levels of their creators and influence of the Hellenistic art.

(Terracotta lion of 4th century BC)

(Earthenware mask)

(Pottery jar with Greek motif)

Tunisia enjoyed economic growth and wealth from the Mediterranean trades during the Carthage and the Roman times.  Beautiful floor mosaics were created in both public buildings and homes of wealthy people.  Many of them are displayed in local and overseas museums.  In case you travel to Tunisia, you should reserve at least half a day for the Bardo Museum.  There is a rich collection of Tunisia floor mosaics.  If you are interested to know more about mosaics art, you can read Dunbabin, Katherine. Mosaics of the Greek and Roman world. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 1999.

(Floor mosaic with multiple pictures)

(Mosaic of Greek myth Ulysses)

(One of the best mosaics in Bardo Museum - Virgil and two muses)

With the coming of Arabs to North Africa, Islamic religion and arts were introduced to Tunisia.  Beautiful arts are displayed in local mosques and household decorations.  Ceramics tiles and pottery show the influence of Andalusia and other parts of the Islamic world.

(Colourful earthenware and pottery for sale)

(Ceiling decoration with Andalusia wood work)



(Beautiful wall ties in a mosque)

(Columns from Carthage and Roman buildings are reused in a mosque)

Tunisia : a beautiful country

Last December, my wife and I have an enjoyable visit to Tunisia.  It is a beautiful country with rich cultural mosaics and friendly people.

Tunisia is in the South Mediterranean with neighbouring countries, such as Italy and France in the North and in between Algeria and Libya.  With Mediterranean Sea in its North and East and Sahara Desert in its South, you can experience both maritime and desert climates in one trip.  December is a good time travelling there as the weather is warm and present.

(Beautiful sunset in the village of Sidi Bou Said)

(Lovely blue sky overlooking the Port El Kantaoui) 

(The Sahara Desert)

(The mountain oases and old Berber village in Chebika)

Many people heard of Tunisia because of its Jasmin Revolution two years ago.  This event led to many social uprisings in the Islamic world.  In fact, this is the second successful and peaceful people movement for Tunisia since its independence in 1956.

Tunisia has long history with many great cultures.  Phoenicians came to Tunisia in the early 1st millennium BC and found the great Carthage maritime empire.  After the famous Punic Wars between Carthaginians and Romans in the 3rd and 2nd century BC, the Romans became the new master of the Mediterranean and ruled over Tunisia for its important agriculture and trade.

With the Arab Muslim invasion in the 7th century AC, Tunisia gradually became part of the Islamic world.  Until the 19th century, the French exerted its influence and put Tunisia under its protectorate status until its independence.

(Ruins of Carthage town near the Cape Bon)

(Well preserved Roman amphitheater in El Djem)

(The majestic temples of Jupiter (Zeus), Juno (Hera) and Minerva (Athena) in Sufetula)

(The Great Mosque in Kairouan)

During our trip, we saw many beautiful arts and architectures.  In the next two posts, we shall share more about Tunisia's arts and handcrafts.  Also, we shall talk more about its original people, the Berbers.