Handmade Tunisia

February 5, 2025

Tunisia’s capital city is home to the ancient Ez-Zitouna Mosque, founded in 734. The Medina, or historic gated town, surrounding the mosque is host to important government buildings, urban culture and a sprawling maze of souks. The souks, or marketplaces, are narrow winding streets and alleyways where you’ll find everything from spices and perfume to clothes and kitchenware. Within and beyond the souks artisans construct an array of goods and stunning objects in studio workshops. Their open doors let in light, air and the chance to catch a glimpse of beautiful, handmade, works in progress. The music of hammering, sanding, filing, carving, sculpting, chiseling and sewing machines in motion filters into the streets of this dense, bustling city center. Against this rhythmic backdrop, shoes, teapots, furniture, gravestones and more are brought to life by skilled craftsmen. It’s a visual feast of what wonders can be created by human hands using timeless tools, raw materials, and hard earned expertise. I spoke to a few craftspeople about their work and how they got into it.