TUNISIAN Cultural Orientation TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: PROFILE ................................................................................................................. 1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 1 Geography and Climate ........................................................................................................... 1 Major Cities ............................................................................................................................. 3 Tunis ................................................................................................................................. 3 Sfax ................................................................................................................................... 4 Sousse ............................................................................................................................... 4 Kairouan ........................................................................................................................... 5 Bizerte ............................................................................................................................... 6 History ..................................................................................................................................... 6 Berbers .............................................................................................................................. 6 Ancient Empires ............................................................................................................... 7 Islamic Rule ...................................................................................................................... 8 The Ottoman Empire ........................................................................................................ 9 The French Protectorate ................................................................................................... 9 Independence .................................................................................................................. 10 Revolution and Its Aftermath ......................................................................................... 11 Government ........................................................................................................................... 12 Media ..................................................................................................................................... 13 Economy ................................................................................................................................ 14 Ethnic Groups and Languages ............................................................................................... 15 Chapter 1Assessment ............................................................................................................. 17 CHAPTER 2: RELIGION ............................................................................................................ 18 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 18 Islam ...................................................................................................................................... 18 Forms of Islam ................................................................................................................ 18 Religion and Government ...................................................................................................... 20 Religion and Daily Life ......................................................................................................... 21 Religion and Gender .............................................................................................................. 22 Religious Events and Holidays .............................................................................................. 22 Ras al-Am al-Hijri .......................................................................................................... 22 Mawlid al-Nabi ............................................................................................................... 23 Ramadan ......................................................................................................................... 23 Eid Al-Fitr ...................................................................................................................... 23 Eid al-Adha (Eid al-Kabir) ............................................................................................. 24 Places of Worship .................................................................................................................. 24 Behavior in Places of Worship .............................................................................................. 24 Chapter 2 Assessment ............................................................................................................ 27 CHAPTER 3: TRADITIONS ....................................................................................................... 28 © DLIFLC | i TUNISIAN Cultural Orientation Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 28 Values .................................................................................................................................... 28 Greetings ................................................................................................................................ 29 Social Interaction ................................................................................................................... 31 Hospitality .............................................................................................................................. 32 Traditional Foods ................................................................................................................... 33 Dining Etiquette .............................................................................................................. 34 Dress Codes ........................................................................................................................... 35 Holidays ................................................................................................................................. 36 Dos and Don’ts ...................................................................................................................... 37 Chapter 3 Assessment ............................................................................................................ 38 CHAPTER 4: URBAN LIFE ........................................................................................................ 39 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 39 Urbanization .......................................................................................................................... 40 Work Problems in Urban Areas ............................................................................................. 41 Healthcare .............................................................................................................................. 42 Education ............................................................................................................................... 43 Telecommunications .............................................................................................................. 45 Street Crime and Solicitation ................................................................................................. 49 Street Vendors ....................................................................................................................... 49 Marketplace ........................................................................................................................... 50 Food and Dining .................................................................................................................... 52 Chapter 4 Assessment ............................................................................................................ 56 CHAPTER 5: RURAL LIFE ........................................................................................................ 57 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 57 Tribal Distribution ................................................................................................................. 58 Land Distribution ................................................................................................................... 59 Rural Economy ...................................................................................................................... 60 Rural Healthcare .................................................................................................................... 61 Education ............................................................................................................................... 62 Village Life ............................................................................................................................ 63 Rural Leadership ...........................................................................................................