No doubt that various cultural practices are well accepted in the world nowadays, especially in Africa where the people practice it as an upmost task. The cultural heritage in Africa is varied and manifold, consisting of a mixture of countries with various tribes that each have their own unique characteristics.
African culture is expressed in its arts and crafts, folklore, religion, clothing, cuisine, music and languages. There are many cultures in Africa grouped in many ways e.g. expensive, low key, high key, international viewing, sacred etc. one of such that also attracts many tourists around the world is that of the TUNISIANS.
Tunisian culture is a product of more than three thousand years of history and an important multi– ethnic influx. Ancient Tunisia was a major civilizations crossing through history, different cultures, civilizations and multiple successive dynasties contributed to the culture of the country over centuries with a varying degrees of influence. Among these cultures were the Carthaginian (their native civilizations), Roman (Roman Africans), vandal, Jewish, Christians. Arabs, Islamic, Turkish and French, in addition to native Amazing. This unique mixture of cultures made Tunisia with its strategic geographical location in the Mediterranean, the core of some great civilizations of more nostrum.
The history of Tunisia reveals this rich past where different successive Mediterranean cultures had a strong presence. After the Carthaginian Republic, The Roman Empire came and left a lasting effect on the land with various monuments and cities such as the EL Jem Amphitheater and the archaeological site of the ancient city of Carthage, which is classified as a world heritage site. EL Jem is just one of seven world heritage sites found in Tunisia.
The important elements of Tunisian culture are diverse and represent a unique, mixed heritage. This heritage can be experienced first – hand in museums such as the Bardo museum, the contrast and diversity of city architecture such as Sidi Bou or the Medina of Tunis, cuisine such as cheeses and French croissants, music reflecting andaiusian and ottoman influences literature, cinema, religion, the arts and sports and other areas of Tunisia culture.
Tunisia is also known for its many crafts products and many of the regions of Tunisia have different specialties and traders. Different clothes are worn on special occasions e.g. ceremonial dress, religion dress or a casual ceremony. Unlike another North Africa cuisine, Tunisian food is quite spicy. A popular condiment and ingredient which is used extensively in Tunisian cooking, harissa is a hot red – pepper sauce made of red chilli peppers and garlic flavoured with coriander, cumin, Olive oil and often tomatoes.
Tunisia is homogeneous in terms of language, since nearly all of the population masters French and Arabic (the state official language) and speaks Tunisian Arabic which is the mother tongue of almost all Tunisians. Tunisian is spoken mostly in the context of a daily dialogue between Tunisians and within the family. The Chelha, meanwhile is spoken by the less than 1% of the population, mainly in the semi – Berber villages of the south, including Chenini, Douiret, Matmsta, Tamezrett, etc., and in some villages of the island of Djerba, mainly Guellala/ lquallalen, Ajim, Sedouikech/ Azdyuch and Ouirsoghen/At Ursighen.
Tunisian music is not left out as it is a cultural mix. According to Mohammed Abdel Wahab, Tunisian music has also been influenced by old Andalusian songs injected with Turkish, Persian and Greek influences. He believes that the Tunisian music has undergone three phases of outside influences, the first from the East and whose center was in Mecca and Medina, the second coming from Muslim Spain which was the center of Andalusia and the last coming from the ottoman Empire and whose center was Istanbul no doubt that it is one of the best in music as well.
Looking back at the cultural heritage of Tunisia, one can tell that it is truly modest and fits in well in Africa cultural heritage.
FADESERE DAVID
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