Michelle Torelli
History BM (Q3)
Mr. Block
The Light of Tunisia!
GOAL: Throughout my museum exhibit I would like to demonstrate in a Mosque of how Tunisia, likes its other neighboring North African countries took on a different experience in throughout their culture and colonization during the era of European Explorations, specifically the French and the Spanish. This exhibit will show how colonization is good rather than bad because of the different cultures the country is exposed to.
INTRO: Tunisia is a North African country that provides much culture within its Berber state, of Arab and French. Tunisia’s neighboring countries are Algeria and Libya having similar intakes. Throughout the years Tunisia was occupied by the French and declared independence 20 March 1956. Furthermore, Tunisia is a rich country with dance, food, music and religion.
Artifact 1: *Talhi, Mezwed, and Malouf playlist*
On the radio press “play” to listen to a song of Talhi, Mezwed, and Malouf, they are top three most famous types of music in Tunisia. To start off Talhi is more of a slow dance of music sung by Tunisian artists is an Arabic dialect called “Darija” which is a dialect of Arabic originated by Morocco and Tunisia. Darija is a combination of both Arabic and French, due to the French colonization of 1881 Tunisians struggles between the French embraced them for hope of a new government. As everything started to settle down Tahli was sung throughout the streets while the country.
Next is Mezwed, as you will hear a higher up-beat tempo of music. Mezwed is sung in Arabic of Tunisia at is mainly used at special occasions. For an example, at weddings or big parties. Mezwed, is usually accompanied by women bellydancers and male dabkers. Dabke is a traditional dance of Lebanon and Tunisia sharing similarties. Furthermore, Mezwed will get you dancing like there’s no tomorrow, even if you don’t understand any Arabic!
Lastly, the oldest type of music in Tunisia is Malouf. Malouf is influenced by the Berbers (native people of Arabic descent) and the intentions of the Spanish while they colonized Tunisia for a period of time during the late 1500s of their exploration. Malouf is a high strung type of music, usually played by a band of people playing the drums and violins having a nice flow of the combination of the two.
Artifact 2: *Tunisian Olive Oil*
Here you go, have some pita bread and traditional Tunisian olive oil! Tunisian olive oil is rich in the capital of Tunisia which is called Tunis. Tunis is located at the North Eastern corner of Tunisia which is neighbored by other provinces to the east, west, and south directions, but to the north is the Mediterranean Sea. Tunisian olive oil is grown from its acres of olive in Tunis, and during the era when the French began to colonize Tunisia, the Tunisian olive oil was begin exported to France and Tunisia was making some profit off of it.
Tunisian olive oil is a bit spicy because not only olives are in the recipe but also a tangy Tunisian spice called “Zimmet”. Zimmet is grown in the southern part of Tunisia called Gabe. Zimmet is added to the Tunisian olive oil after the olive’s second press.
Artifact 3: *Bible and Qu’ran*
Here as you can see are sample texts of the Bible brought from the Christian French and the Qu’ran from Tunisia. Tunisia is a Muslim based country, the majority of the country and along with its neighboring countries practice several beliefs of Islam and the most common word that everyone knows in each country that is the same in each Qu’ran is “Allah” which means God and that all must believe in one God. Surprisingly, despite the colonization of the French they have left a very small amount of impact of the religion Christianity that they tried to enforce when they came to colonize in the late 1800s.
Both religions believe in one God and both state that God is almighty and he is the creator of the Earth, and that he sent down prophets to speak with the people on Earth to exempt them from their sins. France tried to hard to convert the Tunisians into becoming Christians when the Tunisians simply said no.
Artifact 4: *Boukha*
Have a shot of Tunisia alcohol, no kids you can’t have any! Well as you can see well taste it’s not your ordinary vodka or any other type of spirit in fact this Tunisian alcohol is called Boukha. Boukha is a Tunisian brandy made from figs. Mainly when the Spanish were in power of the Tunisians in the late 1500s Boukha has been exported to many of the neighboring countries. Boukha is usually used in medical uses in the 1500-1900s for medical patients who needed amputation(s).
Boukha is very strong, containing 40-46% alcohol per volume. The process of making Boukha actually changed when the French came into power of 1881. The figs where actually imported from France to Tunisia to speed up the process and have mass production to other countries.
Artifact 5: *Tunisian Belly-dancers*
Sit back and watch as you see the Tunisian belly-dancers on stage. Throughout all the Arab nations of the world Tunisian belly dance formation is quite different the the rest. To begin dancing has always been a big part of Tunisia, even before exposure to the French and Spanish during their conquest throughout the country.
Tunisian belly dance, like all other types of belly dance is originated from Egyptians style. Tunisian belly dance formations use larger but quicker movements of the upper body rather than the waist like Egyptian belly dance. Baroque, a famous French dance has made an impact on the formation of Tunisian belly dance during the 1900s. Tunisian belly dance furthermore uses quick movements of the feet to accompany the large movements of the upper body.
Artifact 6: *Carthage Ships*
Come step in and take a tour around and examine the structure of the ancient Carthage Ships of Tunis. Carthage, which is now today called Tunis, is the largest merchant city. Carthage ships were used to export and import goods to and from Tunisia. During colonialism of the French, Carthage was no longer Carthage keep in mind it is Tunis now.
When the French colonized Tunisia they took some of their ideas. Due to the structure of the ancient Carthage ships the French recreated different ships. With this, the Tunisians became aggravated and revolted. Later on the French became more peaceful and gave a compromise declaring that
Artifact 7: *Petroleum*
As you can see in the case in front of you is a tank of water with a modeled well drilling into the Mediterranean Sea north of Tunis. Inside this model you can feel around the texture of petroleum. Tunisia was and still is rich in petroleum while the Spanish, petroleum was exported by the Carthaginian structured ships during the 1500s. Petroleum today is now one of Tunisia’s top resources of keeping the economy of the country going.
Artifact 8: *Hookah*
During colonization of the Spanish in Tunisia during the 1500s. The Spanish took a lot of advantages of the Tunisians, such as their spices, though when it came to fruits and sweets the Spanish had more of the advantage. The hookah’s traditional flavour when smoked was with tobacco and herbs from Tunisia but Spain influenced them with fruits and charcoal. The Spanish first merchant ships arrived in Tunis, providing chocolate and mainly fruits.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Now before everyone leaves what are your final thoughts? What have you learned and which samples did you like the best?
Did have a different experience in this exhibit? If so, explain and choose your favorite artifact then submit it by paper to your tour guide. Have a nice day !
CITATION(S) MLA:
1)
"Tunisia: History, Geography, Government, and Culture — Infoplease.com." Infoplease: Encyclopedia, Almanac, Atlas, Biographies, Dictionary, Thesaurus. Free online reference, research & homework help. — Infoplease.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2011. <http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0
2)
"Culture of Tunisia - traditional, history, people, clothing, traditions, women, beliefs, food, customs." Countries and Their Cultures. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 May 2011. <http://www.everyculture.com/To-Z/Tunisia.html>.
3)
Office., Tunisian National Tourism. "Tunisia - Tunisian Republic - Country Profile - Tunis - Al Jumhuriyah at Tunisiyah ." Nations Online Project :: A Destination Guide to Countries and Nations of the World. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 May 2011. <http://www.nationsonline.org/on