Country Overview
Population: 12,292,241 (2024)
Population Growth Rate: 0.67 (2024)
Religious Groups Breakdown: Muslim 99.1%, Other <1%
Youth Unemployment: 37.48%
UNDP HDI: 101
Life Expectancy (Male Life Expectancy & Female Life Expectancy): M&F: 74.26% (2022) F: 76.8% (2021) M: 71.5% (2021)
Literacy Rate (Male Literacy Rate & Female Literacy Rate): M&F: 83.56% (2022) F: 74.2 M: 89.6%
Primary School Completion Rate: 97% (2021)
Median Age: 32.5 (2024)
Capital: Tunis
Largest City: Tunis
Nationality: Tunisian
Currency: Tunisian Dinar (TND)
Languages: Arabic (Tunisian dialect), French and Eastern Berber (Tamazigh)
Agriculture:Water stress and poor water soil fertility. Around two-thirds of Tunisia is suitable for farming, and about one-fifth of the working population is employed in agriculture. Mainly citrus fruits, olives, grapes, tomatoes, melons, figs, and dates
Industries: Agriculture, oil mining, renewable energy and electricity, tourism, and automotive sales and services
Geography
Tunisia (Official name: The Republic of Tunisia; Arabic pronunciation: TU-nis) is located on the northernmost tip of Africa. It borders the Mediterranean Sea and is flanked by Algeria and Libya. It has a total area of 163,610 sq km or 63,170 sq miles, which equates to an area slightly larger than the state of Georgia. Tunisia has a Mediterranean climate and is temperate along the coast. It becomes hotter in the south towards the Sahara Desert. The country is mountainous to the north along the Atlas Mountains, while the rest of the country is low-lying, with plains and lush valleys. Tunisia is especially arable in the Sahel region, along its eastern coast.
Climate Change
Some of the environmental issues the country faces include water pollution, limited natural freshwater resources, deforestation, desertification, and soil erosion. Tunisia has accepted several international agreements on certain environmental topics, such as environmental protection, marine toxic chemical dumping, and the climate change Kyoto Protocol. Despite these agreements, it lacks the means to implement many of these recommendations. Notably, after Tunisia’s successful Arab Uprising and the removal of the President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali, the country redrafted its constitution, becoming only the third in the world to include climate protection language.
Tunisia is an oil-producing country, but growing domestic demands have required increased importation to meet its energy needs. Waste and by-products associated with Tunisia’s phosphate industry (used for fertilizers and preservatives) have led to major health and environmental problems in the southern Gulf of Gabes area. Marine life in this region is not sustainable, cancer rates are higher, and other pollution-related health problems (infertility, miscarriages, pulmonary illnesses) are more common than anywhere else in the country. Currently, Tunisia is partnering with the UN Development Program and private parties to harness solar energy for export and domestic use.
Geography Resources
History
Early History
Because of its location on the northernmost point of the African continent on the Mediterranean coast, Tunisia has been considered a great strategic location for centuries. Ancient inscriptions and rock art from the region provide vital information about its first inhabitants, the indigenous Amazigh (Berber) population. The seafaring Phoenicians took hold of the region in the 9th century BCE. According to legend, Queen Dido of the Phoenicians established the capital in Carthage in 814 BCE. She is most famous for her romance with Aeneas in Virgil’s Aeneid.
Carthage and the Punic Wars
As the city of Carthage rose in power, it gained its independence from other Phoenician settlements. Starting in the 3rd century BCE, Carthage led a series of wars in what is known as the Punic Wars for regional control against the Roman Empire. Hannibal, a military commander of the Carthaginian army, led the particularly bloody Second Punic War from 218 to 210 BCE. This war was marked by Hannibal’s incredible crossing of the Alps with 80,000 men and many war elephants. Despite this daring offensive, Rome eventually conquered and annexed Carthage.
Conquests and Colonial Rule
The region was subsequently conquered by the Vandals in the 5th century CE, the Byzantines in the 6th century, and finally the Arabs in the 7th and 8th centuries. Several Islamic dynasties successively ruled over Tunisia. It became part of the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century until the French seized control of the area in 1881. The number of French colonists increased dramatically during the period of the French protectorate to 144,000 by 1945.
Independence and Bourguiba’s Presidency
In 1957, France granted Tunisia independence, and it became a republic. Habib Bourguiba became the first president and led the country for three decades. He enacted many liberal and pro-Western reforms, including compulsory and free education for ages 6-16 and women’s rights such as the right to vote and file for divorce. His historic Jericho Speech in 1965 supported a permanent peace between Israelis and Palestinians based on the recommendations of the United Nations. This speech marked the first time an Arab president spoke in favor of establishing peace with Israel.
Ben Ali’s Regime and the Jasmine Revolution
On November 7, 1987, Prime Minister Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali and a team of doctors judged Bourguiba to be medically incapable of running the country. He had been in poor health since the 1970s, and his mental capacity was put into question after he called for the immediate hanging of several prominent Islamists in the country. He was replaced by Ben Ali, who ruled for twenty-four years.
In December 2010, protests broke out across the country in response to growing unemployment, food inflation, and lack of political freedom. The protests culminated in what is now called the Jasmine Revolution. This popular movement escalated on January 4, 2011, after a street vendor, Mohammed Bouazizi, carried out public self-immolation to protest corrupt government practices. After a month of protests, public pressure drove President Ben Ali into exile to Saudi Arabia on January 14, 2011, leaving his Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi at the head of an interim government. Following continued protests, he was replaced by Fouad Mebazaa, who had previously been President of the Chamber of Deputies.
Political Transition
On December 12, 2011, the Constituent Assembly of Tunisia, a body elected to govern the country and draft a new constitution, elected Moncef Marzouki as the interim President of the Tunisian Republic. One day after assuming office, Marzouki appointed Hamadi Jebali of the moderate Islamist Ennahda Movement as prime minister. The new government addressed some of the concerns of the Jasmine Revolution protests such as the length and terms of office, the authority of the legislature, and separation of powers, but some areas of law and human rights remain unaddressed. In February 2013, the Ennahda government resigned, and a temporary caretaker government took control until December 2014, when current president Beji Caid Essabri of the Nidaa Tounes Party, defeated Marzouki.
Security Challenges
The sudden departure of Ben Ali and the series of successive interim governments led to a protracted and disorganized transition period that allowed for a breakdown in security and infrastructure in the country. After the revolution, a prevailing drive to purge the country of all remnants of Ben Ali’s reign resulted in the dismissal of military and political leaders, as well as state-supported Muslim clerics, that left a vast power and security vacuum. Political prisoners, including political Islamists, were given amnesty and took advantage of the instability to lay claim to available positions of authority. Thus began the growth of a politically active Salafist movement that has since turned violent. Tunisia has garnered international attention because of a disproportionately high number of Tunisian jihadists engaged in terrorism activity domestically, within regional conflicts in Syria and Libya, and, increasingly, throughout Europe. An estimated 6,000-7,000 Tunisians have left their country to fight with the Islamic State and al-Qaeda affiliates, such as Okba ibn Nafaa Brigade and Ansar Al-Sharia. Tunisians have been engaged in prolonged fights on the borders with Algeria and Libya, have assassinated several Tunisian political leaders, and have specifically targeted tourists attractions. The current government struggles to fight these activities by restricting movement, building barrier walls, and enacting sweeping anti-terror measures.
Though Tunisia is widely perceived as the sole Arab Spring success story, the proliferation of violent extremism in the wake of the Jasmine Revolution and the continued economic stagnation and high rates of unemployment bring that claim into doubt. Price hikes in 2018 prompted widespread protest and demonstration yet the voter turnout in the 2018 elections was the lowest since 2011, at the start of the revolution, signaling political apathy amongst Tunisians after years of disorganization.
Kais Saied’s Presidency and Constitutional Changes
In 2019, Tunisia’s first democratically elected president Beji Caid Essabri died. In the ensuing election, Kais Saied won the election with 72% of the vote. In July 2021, Saied was in the middle of a political crisis when he disbanded parliament and dismissed the current prime minister, Hichem Machichi. This move suspended the legal immunity carried by members of parliament in Tunisia, and several political opponents were arrested. The move was dubbed a coup by his political opponents. In September 2021, Saied vowed to change the Tunisian Constitution and named Najla Bouden Romdhane to serve as prime minister, the first woman in the Arab World to assume such a role.
In July 2022, president Kais Saied created a new constitution, replacing the 2014 constitution, and introducing a presidential system of government and a bicameral legislative system. The referendum passed with 94 percent of all votes, however, only 30 percent of Tunisians participated. The new constitution expands Saied’s presidential powers by centralizing it in the hands of the president. President Saied now gets to appoint the prime minister and the cabinet and set the general policy of the country. The constitution also grants the president the ability to dissolve the cabinet, immunity, put to referendum any law concerning public powers and institutions, and the authority, in exceptional circumstances, to restrict the freedom and rights of Tunisian nationals. The legislative branch is now divided into two bodies and the judiciary is reduced to an executive branch administrative role, managed and appointed by the president. The president cannot be impeached. The new constitution also has no more provisions that would permit the president to be removed. Lastly, the state’s secular nature is threatened by the new constitution. Currently classified as a nation within the Islamic Ummah, Tunisia’s constitution mandates that the state endeavor to accomplish the goals and principles (maqasid) of Islam. Opponents worry that this new constitution might lead to the resurgence of an authoritarian government and many citizens have described the president’s new constitution as a setback to the revolution and democracy.
History Resources
Government
The system of government in Tunisia underwent a significant transformation with the new 2022 constitution. Tunisia shifted from the semi-presidential parliamentary republic established in 2014 to a hyper-presidential system. This change gave the president full executive control, supreme command of the army, and the authority to appoint a government without parliamentary approval. Unlike the 2014 constitution, which divided power between the president, prime minister, and parliament, the 2022 constitution consolidates much of the authority in the hands of the president.
Under the 2022 constitution, the president holds significant powers over the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The president appoints the prime minister and cabinet without needing approval from the legislature, marking a significant shift from the previous system where the legislature had a more active role. Additionally, the president has the power to dissolve parliament and call for new elections.
The legislative branch has also undergone changes. The new constitution introduced a bicameral system, comprising the Assembly of the People’s Representatives (ARP) and a newly created National Council of Regions and Districts. The ARP introduces legislation, with members elected to serve five-year terms, but its capacity to control the government has been significantly reduced. The upper house, or National Council of Regions and Districts, is indirectly elected and represents regional interests, though its ability to check the president remains minimal. The 2014 constitution’s provisions for party-list proportional representation have been abolished. Under the 2022 election law, individual candidates are now elected, further reducing the role of political parties in the electoral system. Additionally, the requirement for gender parity in parliamentary elections has been removed, raising concerns about the decline in female representation.
The independence of Tunisia’s judiciary has been compromised since the adoption of the 2022 constitution. While the judiciary was once considered independent, President Saied dissolved the Supreme Judicial Council and replaced it with a temporary body under his authority. Furthermore, no Constitutional Court has been established, even though it was a key provision in the 2014 constitution.
Tunisia's major political parties, such as Ennahda, Nidaa Tounes, and Tahya Tounes, have seen their influence diminished under the new system. Ennahda, a moderate Islamist party, has faced significant repression since President Saied centralized power, and other traditional parties have been sidelined. The 2022 parliamentary elections were marked by a boycott from political parties, including Ennahda, and extremely low voter turnout—only 11.2% of eligible voters participated in the first round. The election law's stricter eligibility requirements and the abolition of party-list proportional representation have led to reduced political diversity, while candidates are required to self-fund their campaigns.
Government Resources
International & Regional Issues
Political Instability
Tunisia is dealing with political instability and democratic erosion since president Saied’s decision in 2021 to dissolve the parliament and take control of all powers. The concentration of power in the presidency and the shrinking space for opposition parties and civil society have been alarming for (international) observers.
Economic Instability
Tunisia is facing debt and economic instability. Since 2011, Tunisia has been heading for a macroeconomic crisis due to large deficits, shrinking fiscal space, and complicated negotiations with the IMF. The economic reforms, like subsidy cuts and public sector restructuring, demanded by the IMF have sparked concerns over austerity and social unrest. The inability to agree on an acceptable deal has been pushing the country to more economic instability. Up until now, Tunisia is struggling with a deep economic crisis, marked by high inflation, unemployment, specifically among youth, stalled growth, imbalances in public finances and public depth.
Social Unrest
Tunisia has experienced periodic social unrest, often driven by economic hardship and unemployment. Protests have erupted over corruption within the government, inflation, and also regional inequality. The coastal area of Tunisia is more developed and does better economically. It is the middle- and southern regions that stay underdeveloped, resulting in dissatisfaction among its population.
Migration Crisis
Tunisia is a key transit point for migrants and refugees that are trying to reach Europe, in particular Italy. Some of the migrants are of Tunisian nationality who flee from the country’s repressive policies, however, there are also many who come from countries such as Egypt, Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh. This has caused friction with European countries over how to manage the migration crisis. Tunisia has also been criticized for its treatment of migrants, particularly from sub-Saharan Africa, as there have been reports of human rights abuses and racial discrimination. In July 2023, the European Union and Tunisia signed a memorandum of understanding, a declaration of political intentions, migration being a key pillar there. The EU intends to provide budgetary support for the Tunisian government, including about 105 million euros to target anti-smuggling operations, reinforce border control, and speed up the return of asylum seekers whose applications are denied.
Terrorism
Tunisia has faced sporadic terrorism-related incidents since 2015, often linked to Islamist extremist groups that are operating in the region. The armed insurgency of IS was suppressed in 2022, but the country remains vigilant against potential attacks taking into regard the country’s proximity to Libya, which hosts various militant groups.
EU Connections
Tunisia has strong economic and historical ties with EU countries, specifically France and Italy. However, the new constitution and other political changes in the country, and issues regarding migration and human rights, have complicated relations. The EU has expressed concerns over Tunisia’s democratic regressing and the decay of political freedoms. Tunisia relies heavily on trade and tourism from Europe for their economic development, making the relations with the EU crucial for the country.
Climate Change
Also water scarcity and climate change are becoming critical issues in Tunisia. Water shortages have led to agricultural disruptions, affecting rural populations , increasing food insecurity, and contributing to economic challenges and hardship.
COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic reached Tunisia on 2 March 2020 and had a significant impact on the country, both in terms of public health and the economy. Tunisia experienced multiple waves, with a particular outbreak in the summer of 2021. The country struggled with overburdened hospitals and political turmoil due to public dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the pandemic. The tourism sector and international trade, both important players for Tunisia’s economy, were most affected by the pandemic. The pandemic hit Tunisia’s economy hard, GDP contracted in 2020 by 8.8 percent. The government implemented a number of social protection and economic assistance programs to lessen the impact of the crisis on businesses and households. However, the pandemic still worsened poverty and inequality in Tunisia, particularly affecting low-income households, rural populations, and informal workers. Tunisia experienced delays with vaccinating, but received donations from international actors, like France, Italy, the US, and China. The national vaccination campaign started in March of 2021 and accelerated by mid-2021. By 2022, a large portion of the country’s population was vaccinated and the impact of the pandemic was reduced. The country faces ongoing challenges related to economic recovery, political stability, and public health.
International & Regional Issues Resources
Economy
For many years, Tunisia had a state-run economy, with the government artificially controlling prices. Since then, Tunisia has tried to open itself up to be a part of the global economy and trade network. Tunisia’s economy is largely based on oil, phosphates, manufacturing, and agriculture. Tunisia seeks to take advantage of its easy access to European markets through export. Its main exports are textiles, food, petroleum products, chemicals, and phosphates, with 72% of its exports landing in the European Union. Labor costs are much lower in Tunisia than in Europe, however, due to political and regional instability, Tunisia has failed to attract the patronage of European companies operating on Tunisian soil. The country houses its own stock exchange, the Bourse de Tunis. Before the 2011 elections, corruption and nepotism plagued the Tunisian economy, coupled with the 2008 world economic crisis, Tunisia’s economy contracted. Political gridlock has also prevented politicians from providing support to Tunisians and also has led to increasing prices of common goods. Unemployment hovers around 15%.
Tunisia also relies upon tourism as one of its main sources of revenue. From the modern city of Tunis to the ruins of Carthage, and coastal resorts along the beaches of the north, Tunisia draws in millions of visitors each year. Unfortunately, a 2015 terrorist attack on a popular tourist attraction, the Bardo National Museum, greatly hurt tourism in the country. COVID-19 has also greatly restricted the Tunisian tourism sector. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in prices and a decrease in income for the average Tunisian citizen. While the impact of COVID-19 is still not fully present, many economists suspect that the Tunisian economy will continue to contract.
In 2024, Tunisia’s economy is still facing a mixture of challenges and opportunities as the country continues to recover from the effects of COVID-19 and grapples with ongoing structural issues. In 2023, Tunisia’s economy’s growth was left below pre-COVID levels, at a growth rate of 0.4 percent, due to severe drought and tight financial conditions. Despite growth in tourism and export sectors, the country’s economy was affected by the impact of the droughts, leading to an 11 percent drop in agriculture. The World Bank’s economic Monitor for Tunisia expects growth rates of 2.4 percent in 2024 and 2.3 percent in 2025, assuming that drought issues will ease, however, due to climate change, water scarcity and desertification are expected to worsen in the upcoming years.
One of the largests remaining challenges is Tunisia’s public debt crisis and inflation. In 2024, inflation is expected to remain elevated, affecting food and energy prices mostly. Another continuing issue is Tunisia’s unemployment rate which is especially high among younger people. In 2024, unemployment is expected to be around 16 percent. Tunisia has been discussing with the IMF about the possibility of a financial rescue package to stabilize the country’s economy. However, an IMF deal could also lead to further discontent and social unrest, especially among the working class and public sector workers. In March of 2024, the Tunisan cabinet approved a draft law that would liberalize the county’s foreign exchange law. This law would simplify foreign exchange regulations, permit a higher degree of financial transaction digitization and expand the annual amount of currency that Tunisians can exchange.
Economy Resources
Society
The population of Tunisia is about 12 million, with an average life expectancy of 74 years. Most of the population is of Amazigh or Arab descent (98%) and speaks Arabic, although there is a small Jewish and European community as well at about 1% of the population, respectively. French is commonly used in major cities and business settings. According to the World Bank Group, 71% of the population lives in urban areas, with the general population growing at a rate of 0.67%% per year.
Education in Tunisia has been a high priority of the federal government and is compulsory for children between the ages of 6 and 16. The Tunisian education system is based on the French system which involves three cycles: primary, secondary, and higher education. Primary education lasts for nine years and is the only compulsory period of education for students. Students who elect to go to secondary education continue for four years, and students either prepare to enter college or the workforce. There are many free public universities for students to attend including the Ecole Polytechnique de Tunisie, the International University of Tunis, and the Université des Sciences de Tunis. These are all located in the capital of Tunis. There are 310 institutions of higher education and research in the country.
Health conditions have steadily improved, and state-owned health facilities and hospitals provide free services to all Tunisian citizens and residents. As of 2010, Tunisia maintains roughly 1.2 physicians per 1,000 people, about half the rate experienced by the United States and Europe (about 2.5 per 1,000 people). The government has supported family planning by opening facilities throughout the country to provide contraception services and by favoring fewer children and older marriage age in Social Security policies. This has led to a decrease in fertility rates to about seventeen births for every 1,000 people (right around the 50th percentile).
Society Resources
LGBT+ Issues
Tunisian LGBT+ individuals face a variety of legal and social obstacles, limiting their rights and freedoms. Progress has been made since the revolution in 2011, protesting for advanced equality and non-discrimination, urging the government to amend legislation to fully protect the human rights of LGBT+ people. Tunisia now has a greater degree of freedom of expression, allowing LGBT+ voices to emerge in public discourse. However people in this group continue to face significant discrimination, legal persecution, and social stigmatization. Same-sex sexual relations are criminalized by law, homosexuality is punished by up to three years in prison. Forced anal examinations are used to ‘prove’ homosexuality, a particularly controversial practice in Tunisia, violating human rights. There are no laws that recognize gender identity or allow transgender people to change their gender on official documents. However, there have a few instances where courts have allowed individuals to change their names or gender markers on a case-by-case basis. LGBT+ activism is difficult due to the hostile environment, organizations face legal challenges, personal attacks, and threats of being shut down. The country has been facing increasing pressure from international human rights organizations and bodies such as the United Nations and Amnesty International to improve legal and social conditions for LGBT+ individuals. Also Tunisian civil society groups continue to push for decriminalization of homosexuality, however progress has been slow due to opposition from conservative and religious leaders.
LGBT+ Resources
Religion
99% of Tunisia’s population practices Islam. Islam is the state religion of Tunisia as is stated in the constitution. The president of Tunisia is required to be a Muslim. According to a Pew Research poll, 58% of Tunisian Muslims identify as Sunnis, while the remainder do not claim a specific sect of Islam. The government pays for the construction and maintenance of mosques and pays the salaries of prayer leaders. Islamic religious studies are required to be taught in public schools. There is also a small Sufi population in Tunisia. Sufis are Islamic mystics that follow ritualistic Islamic practices. As mentioned above, however, there has been an increase in violent Islamist activity in the country, and Tunisians have engaged in radical terrorist movements beyond its borders as well. Overall, Tunisia is the least religious country in the Arab World, with nearly 50% of young people claiming to not be religious.
The remaining 1% is a mix of Christians, Jews, and other religions. Tunisia has a secular government and provides guarantees for the free practice of religion in the constitution. It is estimated that about 30,000 Christians are living in Tunisia, of which 80% are Catholic. There are only 7,000 Christian citizens, the remaining 23,000 are foreigners according to the United States State Department. Christianity was introduced to the region long ago by the Roman Empire. After the arrival of Islam to the region, the Christian population decreased, but there are still some remnants of the Christian community today. There is also a sizable Jewish population. There are between 1,500 and 2,000 Jews in Tunisia. The Tunisian government pays the salary of rabbis and also partially funds the construction and maintenance of synagogues. During the 2011 Jasmine Revolution, Israel offered to accept the immigration of Tunisian Jews into Israel. One-third of the Jewish population, or about 700 people, live in Tunis while the remaining 1,000 reside in Djerba, an island off the eastern coast of Tunisia, where Jews have lived for 2,600 years.
Religion Resources
Culture
General Information
Despite its small size, Tunisia is a historically diverse country and has seen many different cultures, civilizations, and dynasties.It was conquered by the Phoenicians, Romans, and Arabs and is home to an array of ethnic groups and religions, all of which have left their mark on its unique culture and modern, independent identity.
Art
Tunisia has a rich artistic culture and hosts at least fifty festivals every year. The country is known for many of its craft products such as pottery, carpets, and jewelry, and is especially famous for mosaics of varying colors and shapes. These are often carved out of stone or marble and feature depictions of Roman and Islamic times. The Bardo Museum, located in Tunis, holds one of the largest collections of mosaics from the Greek, Roman, and Islamic periods.
Also Tunisian architecture consists of a mix of styles, from the Roman Ruins of Carthage and El Djem to Islamic mosques, Ottoman palaces, and French colonial buildings in the capital. Tunis is known for its traditional houses with blue-and-white tiles, narrow streets, and souqs.
The Jasmine Revolution, which sparked the later Arab Spring movement and led to the resignation of Tunisian president Ben Ali, has begun to influence contemporary Tunisian art. Carthage Contemporary, a program located in the Carthage National Antiquities Museum, has recently launched a series titled “Chkoun Ahna” meaning “about us”. Curator Khadija Hamdi describes the exhibit as one which looks to understand Tunisian history through modern art.
Art Resources
Food
Due to the country’s geographical location and diverse history, and cultural influences, Tunisia’s cuisine consists of a flavorful mix of Mediterranean, Amazigh, Arab, Ottomans, and French traditions. Harissa, a chili pepper paste, is one of the most famously used spices in the country. The spice is on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage. Other commonly used spices are saffron, coriander, mint, and cumin. Due to the country’s long coastline, seafood is widely used, especially in coastal towns, and often cooked into dishes like the national dish couscous and tajine. Other famous dishes include ‘Ojja’, similar to Shakshuka. Bread is a key part of Tunisian meals, ‘khoubz tabouna’ is the traditional round bread that is baked in a clay oven. Along with breakfast, a flaky flatbreak is eaten known as ‘msemmen’. Like other Middle Eastern countries, Tunisia’s street food scene is widely scattered throughout the country. A popular street food is ‘brik’, a flaky deep-fried pastry filled with tuna, capers, parsley, and egg. Over the past years, Tunisia has developed its own versions of famous fast foods, like pizza, but with a Tunisian twist.
Food Resources
Literature & Film
Tunisia has a rich and diverse field of literature, reflecting the country’s history, social struggles, and cultural identity. Literature is found in Arabic, French, and there’s also Berber influences. Tunisian writers often change between French and Arabic, thus bilingualism. Arabic literature dates to the 7th century and has a stronger influence than francophone literature. The roots of Arabic literature lay in Arabic literary traditions. It was during the medieval Islamic period that classical Arab scholars, writers, and poets, such as Ibn Khaldun who was one of the most famous intellectuals of the Islamic Golden Age, emerged from Tunisia. Francophone literature came up with the advent of French colonization at the end of the 19th century. Writers started producing in both Arabic and French. Modern Tunisian literature has been used to express political and social themes ever since the country’s independence from France in 1956. There are various prominent themes in Tunisian literature such as identity, nationalism, social and political critique, gender and feminism, and philosophy. A famous contemporary writer is Tahar Bekri, a poet who writes in both French and Arabic. His work reflects on exile, freedom, and cultural hybridity and often deals with themes of identity, homeland, and the tension between tradition and modernity. The Arab Spring, starting in 2011 in Tunisia, created a new wave of Tunisian literature. Topics such as political freedom, social justice, and human rights became of importance. Writers used their pens to critique authoritarianism, demanding change, and exploring a post-revolutionary society. Amel Mokhtar is a post-revolutionary feminist writer and explores issues of women’s rights and gender inequality, focussing on the political changes since 2011.
Since the early 20th century, cinema has also been an important cultural expression in Tunisia. Filmmakers have been exploring social, political, and personal themes, focussing on themes such as national identity, freedom, gender roles, and social justice. Tunisian movies reflect both their Arab and Mediterranean identities. The first movies appeared under French Colonial rule, however, after Tunisia’s independence in 1956, the Tunisian film industry started taking shape and the government invested in arts, including cinema. In 1966 the Centre National du Cinéma et de l’image (CNCI) was founded and helped fund the production of Tunisian films. During the 90s, Tunisian cinema started growing faster and the country became important for pan-Arab cinema. Moufida Tlatli was an important director around this time, known for her feminist masterpiece “The Silences of the Palace” (1994). The Arab Spring in 2011 sparked a new wave of cinema, there was a climate of more freedom in filmmaking, addressing political upheaval and social change. Filmmakers started tackling previously censored topics like police brutality, corruption, freedom of expression, and LGBTQ’s rights. “Nhebek Hedi” (2016) is an award-winning movie by director Mohamed Ben Attia about post-revolutionary Tunisia. Tunisian cinema continues to make its mark on the global stage, and has become a significant part of the Arab and African film industry and culture.
Literature & Film Resources
Clothing
Tunisian clothing, just like their food, culture, and art, reflects a mix of Mediterranean, Amazigh, Arab, and French influences. Clothing varies depending on the area you are at, gender, and occasions. Tunisia’s traditional national garment, typically worn by men, is the Jebba. It’s a robe made out of wool or silk and often put over other clothing. The Sefsari is a traditional cream veil worn by women. Historically the garment was a way of dressing modestly. However, nowadays it is mostly only worn on ceremonial occasions, like the bride’s hammam during the wedding week. A garment with Amazigh roots is known as the Burnous, a cloak often made from wool, worn by both men and women. Clothing reflects regional identities in the country. Amazigh communities, that mostly live in the South of Tunisia, use embroidered patterns on their clothing, often acting as symbols tied to their heritage, spiritual beliefs, and nature. It is mostly the young people in urban areas that have been exploring more modern ways of dressing, often inspired by Western trends, but blending traditional and contemporary elements. Traditional clothing is not something static; it has evolved alongside Tunisia’s social and political changes, interplaying between heritage and modernity.
Clothing Resources
Music
Tunisia is best known for ma’louf, a kind of Andalusian music imported by Arabs and Jews during the 15th century. Al-Andalus, the Arabic term for a medieval Muslim territory and cultural domain that occupied most of what are today Spain and Portugal, left a lasting influence on the area’s culture. The style of music is played by small musical ensembles consisting of violins, lutes (ouds), and zithers, a type of string instrument common in Southern Europe. Ma’louf was highly influenced by Ottoman culture, having adopted Turkish-style compositions and musical structures during the time of the Ottoman Empire. African and native Amazigh (Berber) influences have further altered the sound of ma’louf, making the genre quite distinct from its provenance. Today, it is mostly played at weddings and public celebrations of religious holidays.
Recently, Tunisian underground music has found an audience among younger Tunisians. Since most contemporary Tunisian mainstream music includes only a few different musical styles, predominantly ma’louf, underground music has come to include any artist or band that sings or composes in a different genre. Most heavy metal, dark, and Gothic bands in Tunisia sing in English.
In contrast, most Tunisian rappers perform in Tunisian (the local Arabic dialect). The Tunisian rap scene is very productive with artists such as DJ Costa, Arab Clan, Warda Crew, Slim Larnaaout, and Kamel Zmen. Electronic music is also on the rise in Tunisia. Due to the suppression of cultural expression by various conservative forces, these musical styles often discuss themes of defiance against the government. Underground music was often played during the Jasmine Revolution for this reason.
Music Resources
Sites & Places of Interest
Tunisia is home to some of the most impressive Punic and Roman sites. The amphitheater in El Jem is the third-largest amphitheater in the Roman world (after the Coliseum in Rome and the amphitheater in Capua). Dougga, in northern Tunisia, is considered one of the most well preserved Roman towns in North Africa. You can also visit the old city of Carthage, destroyed and later rebuilt by the Romans in 146 BC following the Third Punic War.
The Great Mosque of Kairouan, also known as the Mosque of Uqba, is one of the oldest mosques in North Africa. It was built in several stages during the 7th and 8th centuries during the Aghlabid period and served as the prototype for other North African mosques. The Aghlabids were a dynasty of emirs in North Africa who swore allegiance to the Abbasid Caliphs in Baghdad. They served as a critical trading point on the Mediterranean between Africa and Europe.
Many movies have been filmed in Tunisia including parts of George Lucas’ Star Wars movies. Many of the sets can still be seen today including the site of Tataouine and the home of Luke Skywalker. The country has also hosted locations for films such as Roman Polanski’s Pirates, the action film Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Monty Python’s The Life of Brian.
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Soccer is the most popular sport in Tunisia with Tunisians having participated in several African and World Cup competitions. Their national team, known as “The Eagles of Carthage,” has qualified for four FIFA World Cups. The first one was in 1978, but Tunisia has yet to make it out of the first round. Nevertheless, they made history in the 1978 tournament in Argentina by becoming the first African team to win a World Cup match, beating Mexico 3–1. Tunisia participated in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, this was the country’s sixth time taking part, but failed to qualify for the second round of the World Cup.
Tourism has helped develop and popularize many other sports such as golf, volleyball, and tennis, with the national volleyball team winning eight championships in Africa. The country also hosts the Tunis Open, a tennis tournament featuring players from all over the world. Water sports such as sailing and scuba diving are also very popular.
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