Text and photos by Muriel Rosenfeld
March, 2010 Vol. 14. No. 6
“Hut-hut” Ahmed shouted as he led our camel cavalcade of fifteen intrepid adventurers across the sands of the arid Sahara desert. Wedged against the camel’s single hump, I scanned the stark horizon looking for the shimmering palms of our destination. The tall trees signaled the riparian area of the nearest oasis. As the camel lumbered, I realized that Tunisia was going to be a very special experience.
Located between Northern Africa’s Algeria and Libya, Tunisia is a blend of Berber, Islamic and French cultures. Five daily calls to prayer and numerous mosques and souks, with a population that is almost 100% Muslim, remind the visitor that the country remains part of the Arab world. Although conquered by Arab tribes around 700 AD, France’s 19th century occupation left a lingering Western influence when Tunisia gained its independence in 1956. Today, the country remains a secular republic with an elected Prime Minister. Culturally, locals still dress in caftans, shawls, sandals and red felt hats or chechias, a traditional Ottoman felt hat.