Souks of Tunis
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The souks of Tunis are a set of shops and boutiques located in the
medina of Tunis The Medina of Tunis is the medina quarter of Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. The Medina contains some 700 monuments, including palaces, mosques, mausoleums, madrasas and fountains dating from t ...
, capital of
Tunisia ) , image_map = Tunisia location (orthographic projection).svg , map_caption = Location of Tunisia in northern Africa , image_map2 = , capital = Tunis , largest_city = capital , ...
. Most of the
souk A bazaar () or souk (; also transliterated as souq) is a marketplace consisting of multiple small stalls or shops, especially in the Middle East, the Balkans, North Africa and India. However, temporary open markets elsewhere, such as in the W ...
s were built under the
Hafsid dynasty The Hafsids ( ar, الحفصيون ) were a Sunni Muslim dynasty of Berber descentC. Magbaily Fyle, ''Introduction to the History of African Civilization: Precolonial Africa'', (University Press of America, 1999), 84. who ruled Ifriqiya (western ...
in the 13th century and near the
Al-Zaytuna Mosque Al-Zaytuna Mosque, also known as Ez-Zitouna Mosque, and El-Zituna Mosque ( ar, جامع الزيتونة, literally meaning ''the Mosque of Olive''), is a major mosque at the center of the Medina of Tunis in Tunis, Tunisia. The mosque is the oldes ...
. They are organized in several streets and alleys.


Souk Ech-Chaouachine

The three souks that form the
souk Ech-Chaouachine Souk Ech-Chaouachine is one of the souks of the medina of Tunis. Divided into three parts, it is specialized in chachia trading. History According to the chronicler Al Wazir Al Sarraj, Mohamed Bey El Mouradi ordered the construction of the so ...
were built by the
Muradid The Muradid dynasty was a dynasty of beys that ruled Tunisia from 1613 to 1702. They were succeeded in 1705 by the Husainid dynasty. History The dynasty was founded by Murad I Bey, a janissary of Corsican origin. Ramdan Bey, ruler of Tunis, had ...
sovereign
Mohamed Bey El Mouradi Mohamed Bey El Mouradi (died October 14, 1696) was a Muradid leader and Bey of Tunis from 1686 until his death.Ibn Abi Dhiaf, ''op. cit'', p. 76Ibn Abi Dhiaf, ''op. cit'', p. 83 He was the eldest son of Murad II Bey.Ibn Abi Dhiaf, ''op. cit'', p. 60 ...
in 1691–1692. At that time, Andalusian immigrants imported the chachia production technique.


Souk El Attarine

Built in 1240 by the
Hafsid The Hafsids ( ar, الحفصيون ) were a Sunni Muslim dynasty of Berber descentC. Magbaily Fyle, ''Introduction to the History of African Civilization: Precolonial Africa'', (University Press of America, 1999), 84. who ruled Ifriqiya (western ...
sovereign
Abu Zakariya Yahya Abu Zakariya Yahya (, Abu Zakariya Yahya I ben Abd al-Wahid (12031249) was the founder and first sultan of the Hafsid dynasty in Ifriqiya. He was the grandson of Sheikh Abu al-Hafs, the leader of the Hintata and second in command of the Almohads ...
, the
souk El Attarine Souk El Attarine ( ar, سوق العطارين), or souk of spice traders, is the name by which most spice markets are referred to in Arab countries in the Middle East. Old cities (Jerusalem, Damascus, Amman, Beirut, Tunis, Marrakach) were often ...
or souk of perfumers is the oldest souk of Tunis. It is located just behind the
Al-Zaytuna Mosque Al-Zaytuna Mosque, also known as Ez-Zitouna Mosque, and El-Zituna Mosque ( ar, جامع الزيتونة, literally meaning ''the Mosque of Olive''), is a major mosque at the center of the Medina of Tunis in Tunis, Tunisia. The mosque is the oldes ...
. When this souk was built, nobles and business owners were the only ones with the right to do this job. Therefore, it was considered one of the finest. Fragrances compounds of rare and valuable species were sold, there was also
incense Incense is aromatic biotic material that releases fragrant smoke when burnt. The term is used for either the material or the aroma. Incense is used for aesthetic reasons, religious worship, aromatherapy, meditation, and ceremony. It may also be ...
from
India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
and
Yemen Yemen (; ar, ٱلْيَمَن, al-Yaman), officially the Republic of Yemen,, ) is a country in Western Asia. It is situated on the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula, and borders Saudi Arabia to the Saudi Arabia–Yemen border, north and ...
, as well as some cosmetics.


Souk El Berka

Built in 1612 by
Yusuf Dey Yusuf Dey (c.1560 in Tripoli – 1637 at Tunis) was Dey of Tunis from 1610 until his death. Biography Son of Mustapha El Turki, an Ottoman Turkish soldier stationed at Tripoli, he took up a post in the militia of Tunis. He was recognised b ...
, the
souk El Berka Souk El Berka is one of the souks of the medina of Tunis. The market traders specialize in the jewellery trade. History El Berka was built by Yusuf Dey in 1612 and was meant to sell slaves coming from the Sub-Saharan Africa. Slaves of European ...
is the old souk of
black slaves The Atlantic slave trade, transatlantic slave trade, or Euro-American slave trade involved the transportation by slave traders of enslaved African people, mainly to the Americas. The slave trade regularly used the triangular trade route and i ...
in Tunis. This souk became later the souk of jewelers. This souk has a square form, with a wooden platform in the middle which was the place where slaves were presented and waited for the outcome of the sale. Potential buyers were sitting on benches around the souk and participated in the
auction An auction is usually a process of buying and selling goods or services by offering them up for bids, taking bids, and then selling the item to the highest bidder or buying the item from the lowest bidder. Some exceptions to this definition ex ...
. The
white slaves White slavery (also white slave trade or white slave trafficking) refers to the slavery of Europeans, whether by non-Europeans (such as West Asians and North Africans), or by other Europeans (for example naval galley slaves or the Vikings' thr ...
, considered the rarest and most valuable, were not sold in the souk but in more remote locations because the sale concerned only wealthy potential buyers. The abolition of slavery in Tunisia was declared by
Ahmad I ibn Mustafa Ahmed I ( ar, أبو العباس أحمد باشا باي), born 2 December 1805 in TunisIbn Abi Dhiaf, ''Présent des hommes de notre temps. Chroniques des rois de Tunis et du pacte fondamental'', vol. IV, éd. Maison tunisienne de l'édition, ...
in 1846 and caused the transformation of the souk into souk of jewelers specializing in
silverware Silverware may refer to: * Household silver including **Tableware **Cutlery **Candlesticks *The work of a silversmith * Silverware is also a slang term for a collection of trophies A trophy is a tangible, durable reminder of a specific achieveme ...
.


Souk El Bey

The
souk El Bey Souk El Bey is one of the souks of the medina of Tunis. Location The souk is near Souk El Berka, Souk Ech-Chaouachine as well as Dar El Bey, which is where the government center is located. History Initiated by Hammuda ibn Ali, it is sp ...
was founded by
Hammuda ibn Ali Abu Mohammed Hammuda ibn Ali Pasha (9 December 1759 – 15 September 1814) ( ar, أبو محمد حمودة ابن علي باشا) was the fifth leader of the Husainid dynasty and the ruler of Tunisia from 26 May 1782 until his death on 15 Sep ...
. It is located between the Kasbah of Tunis and the souk El Berka. The souk is now specializing in the sale of
precious metal Precious metals are rare, naturally occurring metallic chemical elements of high economic value. Chemically, the precious metals tend to be less reactive than most elements (see noble metal). They are usually ductile and have a high lustre. ...
s.


Souk El Blaghgia

The
souk El Blaghgia Souk El Blaghgia is one of the souks of the medina of Tunis. Etymology ''Balgha'' is an Arabic word that refers to a babouche made of leather and which is considered as a part of the traditional clothes in Tunisia and the Maghreb region in ...
was founded by
Abu Zakariya Yahya Abu Zakariya Yahya (, Abu Zakariya Yahya I ben Abd al-Wahid (12031249) was the founder and first sultan of the Hafsid dynasty in Ifriqiya. He was the grandson of Sheikh Abu al-Hafs, the leader of the Hintata and second in command of the Almohads ...
in the early 18th century. It is located between souk El Attarine and the Kasbah Street. This souk is specialized in the sale of
balgha Balgha ( ar, البلغة, l-bəlġa), also spelled balga, belgha, or belga, are heelless slippers made from leather Leather is a strong, flexible and durable material obtained from the tanning, or chemical treatment, of animal skins and ...
s, a shoe made from leather.


Souk El Blat

The
souk El Blat Souk El Blat ( ar, سوق االبلاط) is one of the souks of the medina of Tunis, specialized in medicinal plants. Location Souk El Blat is located at the heart of the medina of Tunis. It can be accessed from the south from the Al-Zaytuna M ...
specializes in the sale of
medicinal plants Medicinal plants, also called medicinal herbs, have been discovered and used in traditional medicine practices since prehistoric times. Plants synthesize hundreds of chemical compounds for various functions, including defense and protection ag ...
. The number of sellers decreased significantly with the growth of modern medicine.


Souk El Fekka

The
souk El Fekka Souk El Fekka is one of the souks of the medina of Tunis. Location It is directly located in front of the Ez-Zituna Mosque, near Souk El Attarine. Products It is possible to buy ingredients for the preparation of cakes present at every celeb ...
is located directly in front of the
Al-Zaytuna Mosque Al-Zaytuna Mosque, also known as Ez-Zitouna Mosque, and El-Zituna Mosque ( ar, جامع الزيتونة, literally meaning ''the Mosque of Olive''), is a major mosque at the center of the Medina of Tunis in Tunis, Tunisia. The mosque is the oldes ...
, near the souk El Attarine. It sells ingredients necessary to prepare cakes for various celebrations such as
circumcision Circumcision is a surgical procedure, procedure that removes the foreskin from the human penis. In the most common form of the operation, the foreskin is extended with forceps, then a circumcision device may be placed, after which the foreskin ...
, marriage or
Eid al-Fitr , nickname = Festival of Breaking the Fast, Lesser Eid, Sweet Eid, Sugar Feast , observedby = Muslims , type = Islamic , longtype = Islamic , significance = Commemoration to mark the end of fasting in Ramadan , dat ...
.


Souk El Grana

The souk El Grana is located in the northern suburb of the medina, in the district of
Bab Souika , demolition_date=1861, coordinates= Bab Souika ( ar, باب سويقة) is one of the gates of the medina of Tunis. It was demolished in 1861. Its situation was between Bab El Khadra and Bab Saadoun Bab Saadoun ( ar, باب سعدون) is on ...
. It has been marked by '' Granas'',
Jews Jews ( he, יְהוּדִים, , ) or Jewish people are an ethnoreligious group and nation originating from the Israelites Israelite origins and kingdom: "The first act in the long drama of Jewish history is the age of the Israelites""The ...
settled in
Tunisia ) , image_map = Tunisia location (orthographic projection).svg , map_caption = Location of Tunisia in northern Africa , image_map2 = , capital = Tunis , largest_city = capital , ...
from
Livorno Livorno () is a port city on the Ligurian Sea on the western coast of Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Livorno, having a population of 158,493 residents in December 2017. It is traditionally known in English as Leghorn (pronou ...
in the early 17th century. The souk hosts the sale of
linens Linens are fabric household goods intended for daily use, such as bedding, tablecloths, and towels. "Linens" may also refer to church linens, meaning the altar cloths used in church. History The earliest known household linens were made from ...
, silks, fabrics, garments and
handicraft A handicraft, sometimes more precisely expressed as artisanal handicraft or handmade, is any of a wide variety of types of work where useful and decorative objects are made completely by one’s hand or by using only simple, non-automated re ...
s.


Souk El Kébabgia

Souk El Kebabjia Souk El Kebabjia ( ar, سوق الكبابجية) is one of the Souks of Tunis, souks of the medina of Tunis. It is specialized in the trading of traditional clothing accessories. Its craftsmen are specialized in ''kbaïeb'', plural ''kobba'' (sil ...
is located west of
Al-Zaytuna Mosque Al-Zaytuna Mosque, also known as Ez-Zitouna Mosque, and El-Zituna Mosque ( ar, جامع الزيتونة, literally meaning ''the Mosque of Olive''), is a major mosque at the center of the Medina of Tunis in Tunis, Tunisia. The mosque is the oldes ...
, in parallel to
Souk El Berka Souk El Berka is one of the souks of the medina of Tunis. The market traders specialize in the jewellery trade. History El Berka was built by Yusuf Dey in 1612 and was meant to sell slaves coming from the Sub-Saharan Africa. Slaves of European ...
and close to
Souk El Trouk Souk El Trouk ( ar, سوق الترك) is one of the souks of the medina of Tunis. It is specialized in clothing and embroidery trading. History Souk El Trouk was initiated in the early 17th century by Yusuf Dey to satisfy the Turkish communit ...
from one end and to Souk Es Sekajine from the other end. It is specialized in the traditional clothing accessories.


Souk El Kmach

The
souk El Kmach Souk El Kmach ( ar, سوق القماش) or the fabrics market is one of the most important Souks of Tunis, souks of the medina of Tunis. It is the place where fabrics and tissues are sold, whether they are made in Tunisia or luxury products espec ...
or souk of textile, was founded in the 15th century by the
Hafsid The Hafsids ( ar, الحفصيون ) were a Sunni Muslim dynasty of Berber descentC. Magbaily Fyle, ''Introduction to the History of African Civilization: Precolonial Africa'', (University Press of America, 1999), 84. who ruled Ifriqiya (western ...
sovereign
Uthman Uthman ibn Affan ( ar, عثمان بن عفان, ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān; – 17 June 656), also spelled by Colloquial Arabic, Turkish and Persian rendering Osman, was a second cousin, son-in-law and notable companion of the Islamic proph ...
. It is located on the western facade of the
Al-Zaytuna Mosque Al-Zaytuna Mosque, also known as Ez-Zitouna Mosque, and El-Zituna Mosque ( ar, جامع الزيتونة, literally meaning ''the Mosque of Olive''), is a major mosque at the center of the Medina of Tunis in Tunis, Tunisia. The mosque is the oldes ...
.


Souk El Koutbiya

The
souk El Koutbiya Souk El Koutbiya ( ar, سوق الكتبية) is one of the souks in the medina of Tunis. It is specialized in the selling of books. Location This souk is located in the proximity of the Al-Zaytuna Mosque, near Souk El Fekka. It is delimited ...
was built by
Abu l-Hasan Ali I Abu l-Hasan Ali I ( ar, أبو الحسن علي باش; 30 June 1688 – 22 September 1756), also known as Ali Pasha and Ali Bey I,) was the second leader of the Husainid Dynasty and the ruler of Tunisia from 1735 to 1756. Biography He was a ...
in 1750. It is specialized in selling books.


Souk El Leffa

The souk El Leffa, also called Souk of Djerbians, is known for the sale of
wool Wool is the textile fibre obtained from sheep and other mammals, especially goats, rabbits, and camelids. The term may also refer to inorganic materials, such as mineral wool and glass wool, that have properties similar to animal wool. As ...
products through merchants from the island of
Djerba Djerba (; ar, جربة, Jirba, ; it, Meninge, Girba), also transliterated as Jerba or Jarbah, is a Tunisian island and the largest island of North Africa at , in the Gulf of Gabès, off the coast of Tunisia. It had a population of 139,544 a ...
. Artisans also make the traditional
sefseri The safseri ( aeb, سفساري), sometimes also spelled sefseri, safsari or sefsari, is a traditional Tunisian veil worn by women. Composition The safseri is composed of a large piece of cloth covering the whole body. It usually has a cream c ...
(a traditional outfit for women).


Souk El Nissa

El Nissa means Women in Arabic. This souk is located at the south of
Al-Zaytuna Mosque Al-Zaytuna Mosque, also known as Ez-Zitouna Mosque, and El-Zituna Mosque ( ar, جامع الزيتونة, literally meaning ''the Mosque of Olive''), is a major mosque at the center of the Medina of Tunis in Tunis, Tunisia. The mosque is the oldes ...
, near the souk of wool. Women used to come to buy and sell goods.


Souk El Trouk

The name of the
souk El Trouk Souk El Trouk ( ar, سوق الترك) is one of the souks of the medina of Tunis. It is specialized in clothing and embroidery trading. History Souk El Trouk was initiated in the early 17th century by Yusuf Dey to satisfy the Turkish communit ...
is much debated, but there is an agreement that the word comes from ''tourk'' (Turkish) in
Arabic Arabic (, ' ; , ' or ) is a Semitic languages, Semitic language spoken primarily across the Arab world.Semitic languages: an international handbook / edited by Stefan Weninger; in collaboration with Geoffrey Khan, Michael P. Streck, Janet C ...
with ''trouk'', the word for
Antiquities Antiquities are objects from antiquity, especially the civilizations of the Mediterranean: the Classical antiquity of Greece and Rome, Ancient Egypt and the other Ancient Near Eastern cultures. Artifacts from earlier periods such as the Meso ...
(''tirka''). This souk was built in 1620 by
Yusuf Dey Yusuf Dey (c.1560 in Tripoli – 1637 at Tunis) was Dey of Tunis from 1610 until his death. Biography Son of Mustapha El Turki, an Ottoman Turkish soldier stationed at Tripoli, he took up a post in the militia of Tunis. He was recognised b ...
. It is located between the
Al-Zaytuna Mosque Al-Zaytuna Mosque, also known as Ez-Zitouna Mosque, and El-Zituna Mosque ( ar, جامع الزيتونة, literally meaning ''the Mosque of Olive''), is a major mosque at the center of the Medina of Tunis in Tunis, Tunisia. The mosque is the oldes ...
and the centers of Ottoman power, the Kasbah and
Dar El Bey Dar El Bey ( ar, دار الباي), also known as the government palace ( ar, قصر الحكومة) is an old palace in the medina of Tunis, more precisely in the city's Kasbah. Nowadays, it serves as the office of the Head of Government o ...
. It was dedicated to Turkish customers and craftsmen; Turkish craftsmen were replaced gradually by Jewish craftsmen. This souk is now the place where items like flea markets and antiques are sold.


Souk En Nhas

Built under the
Hafsid dynasty The Hafsids ( ar, الحفصيون ) were a Sunni Muslim dynasty of Berber descentC. Magbaily Fyle, ''Introduction to the History of African Civilization: Precolonial Africa'', (University Press of America, 1999), 84. who ruled Ifriqiya (western ...
, the souk En Nhas or souk of copper is specialized in the sale of copper utensils. It is located between the souk El Grana and the Kasbah Street.


Souk Es Sabbaghine

The
souk Es Sabbaghine Souk Es Sabbaghine (English: Dyers market) is one of the souks of the medina of Tunis. Location The souk is situated at the outskirts of the medina, far from the center where the Al-Zaytuna Mosque is situated, since dyeing is considered a pol ...
, or souk of Dyers, is located on the outskirts of the medina, far away from the
Al-Zaytuna Mosque Al-Zaytuna Mosque, also known as Ez-Zitouna Mosque, and El-Zituna Mosque ( ar, جامع الزيتونة, literally meaning ''the Mosque of Olive''), is a major mosque at the center of the Medina of Tunis in Tunis, Tunisia. The mosque is the oldes ...
because
dyeing Dyeing is the application of dyes or pigments on textile materials such as fibers, yarns, and fabrics with the goal of achieving color with desired color fastness. Dyeing is normally done in a special solution containing dyes and particular ...
is considered a polluting activity. The denomination Es Sabbaghine or ''Dyers'' originates from the dyeing of
wool Wool is the textile fibre obtained from sheep and other mammals, especially goats, rabbits, and camelids. The term may also refer to inorganic materials, such as mineral wool and glass wool, that have properties similar to animal wool. As ...
, cotton and silk. Today, the souk sells a variety of products, especially ready-to-wear
clothes Clothing (also known as clothes, apparel, and attire) are items worn on the human body, body. Typically, clothing is made of fabrics or textiles, but over time it has included garments made from animal skin and other thin sheets of materials ...
and shoes, but also fish and meat.


Souk Es Sarragine

Souk Es Sarragine or Souk Es Sekajine is situated west of
Al-Zaytuna Mosque Al-Zaytuna Mosque, also known as Ez-Zitouna Mosque, and El-Zituna Mosque ( ar, جامع الزيتونة, literally meaning ''the Mosque of Olive''), is a major mosque at the center of the Medina of Tunis in Tunis, Tunisia. The mosque is the oldes ...
and east of Bab Menara gate. It is specialized in leather goods, saddles, and horse harnesses.


Notes and references


See also

*
Bazaar A bazaar () or souk (; also transliterated as souq) is a marketplace consisting of multiple small Market stall, stalls or shops, especially in the Middle East, the Balkans, North Africa and India. However, temporary open markets elsewhere, suc ...
*
Bazaari Bazaari (Persian: بازاری) is the merchant class and workers of bazaars, the traditional marketplaces of Iran. Bazaari are involved in "petty trade of a traditional, or nearly traditional, kind, centered on the bazaar and its Islamic culture ...
*
Market (place) A marketplace or market place is a location where people regularly gather for the purchase and sale of provisions, livestock, and other goods. In different parts of the world, a marketplace may be described as a '' souk'' (from the Arabic), ' ...
*
Retail Retail is the sale of goods and services to consumers, in contrast to wholesaling, which is sale to business or institutional customers. A retailer purchases goods in large quantities from manufacturers, directly or through a wholesaler, and t ...
* Souq


External links


Presentation of souks (Municipality of Tunis)
* Virtual visit o
souk El Attarinesouk El Berkasouk Ech-Chaouachinesouk El Fekkasouk El Blatsouk En Nhas
an
souk El Trouk
{{Souks of Tunis * Society of Tunisia