According to the chronicler Al Wazir Al Sarraj, Mohamed Bey El Mouradi ordered the construction of the souk in 1691–1692, following the great push that Moorish migrant artisans gave to chachia production and trading at the beginning of the 17th century.[1] The chachia artisans, called chaouachis, were mainly of Andalusian origins,[1] and initiated from the start one of the most important artisan guilds in the country. Their profit generating business was practiced exclusively in Tunis, and followed an important production process and artisan hierarchy, headed by an amine, as all other traditional crafts.[1]
Location
Metallic sign indicating the Great Chaouachine SoukMetallic sign indicating the Small Chaouachine Souk
As its name indicates, Souk Ech-Chaouachine is specialized in the production and selling of chachia, a boiled wool red colored men's headwear, with blue or black glans to make it more luxurious.[1] Chachia production requires more than two months which includes several steps from crochet all the way to finishing; only the dying and the finishing production steps are executed at the souk.
A chaouachi finishing a chachia.
At the chachia workshops situated within Souk Ech-Chaouachine, artisans and apprentices sit on wooden benches leaning on workshop walls, the master artisans sitting behind a counter to meet customers.[1]
Tunis is the capital and largest city of Tunisia. The greater metropolitan area of Tunis, often referred to as "Grand Tunis", has about 2,700,000 inhabitants. As of 2020, it is the fourth-largest city in the Maghreb region and the sixteenth-largest in the Arab world.
The Medina of Tunis is the medina quarter of Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
Souk El Berka is one of the souks of the medina of Tunis. The market traders specialize in the jewellery trade.
Souk El Bey is one of the souks of the medina of Tunis.
Souk El Bchemkya is one of the souks of the medina of Tunis. It used to be specialised in selling bechmak.
The souks of Tunis are a set of shops and boutiques located in the medina of Tunis, capital of Tunisia. Most of the souks were built under the Hafsid dynasty in the 13th century and near the Al-Zaytuna Mosque.
Souk El Kmach or the fabrics market is one of the most important 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 especially imported like silk or linen.
Souk El Attarine, 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 were often divided into segments based on what was sold - meat, spices, fabrics and so on - and attarine, which means spice traders in Arabic, refers to the spice market.
Souq Al Bchamkiya is a former souk of the medina of Tunis, specialized in bechmak trading.
Souk El Kebabjia is one of the souks of the medina of Tunis. It is specialized in the trading of traditional clothing accessories. Its craftsmen are specialized in kbaïeb, plural kobba.
Souk El Trouk is one of the souks of the medina of Tunis. It is specialized in clothing and embroidery trading.
Madrasa Slimania is a former madrasa and one of the monuments of the Ottoman era in the medina of Tunis.
Souk El Blat is one of the souks of the medina of Tunis, specialized in medicinal plants.
El Ahmadi Mosque is a small mosque in the northern suburb of the Medina of Tunis near Bab El Khadra one of its gates.
La El Habibi Mosque, also known as Bou Dhebena Mosque is a small mosque in the Medina of Tunis.
Souk Es Sekajine or Souk Es Sarragine is one of the souks of the medina of Tunis. specializing in leather goods, saddles, and horse harnesses.
Madrasa Ech Chamaiya is one of the madrasahs of the Medina of Tunis.
Souk El Blaghgia is one of the souks of the medina of Tunis.
Souk El Haddadine or souk of the smiths is one of the souks of the medina of Tunis.
Souk Sidi Mahrez is one of the popular souks of the medina of Tunis. It is specialized in selling fabrics.
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