Culture & Etiquette

1. شاشية

   shāshiyya

   Chechia (red felt cap)

   Usage

   A traditional red felt cap, sold in the old craftsmen's quarters and popular as a souvenir.

   Grammar Note

   A feminine noun; fewer people wear the cap in daily life now.

2. سفساري

   sefsārī

   Sefsari (traditional women's wrap)

   Usage

   A traditional large wrap worn by older women. Ask permission before photographing anyone wearing it.

   Grammar Note

   A masculine noun; it is now mostly seen at traditional events.

3. جبة

   jebba

   Jebba (traditional men's robe)

   Usage

   A loose traditional men's robe, cool in summer and worn on festive days.

   Grammar Note

   A feminine noun used here for the Tunisian robe.

4. برنوس

   burnūs

   Burnous (wool cloak)

   Usage

   A hooded wool cloak worn in the cold season in the northwest.

   Grammar Note

   A masculine noun; usually made of thick wool.

5. خمسة

   khamsa

   Khamsa (hand-shaped amulet)

   Usage

   A hand-shaped charm used on doors and necklaces to ward off evil; a standard souvenir.

   Grammar Note

   The same word as the number five; context tells charm from number.

6. حنة

   ḥenna

   Henna

   Usage

   A reddish-brown dye painted on hands and feet, especially before weddings.

   Grammar Note

   A feminine noun, used with "ʿmel l-ḥenna" (to do henna).

7. زربية

   zarbiyya

   Carpet

   Usage

   Kairouan is a centre of hand-woven carpets. Ask about the weave and origin, and bargain over the price.

   Grammar Note

   A feminine noun; "klīm" is a flat-woven rug.

8. كليم

   klīm

   Kilim rug

   Usage

   A thin flat-woven rug with bright geometric patterns.

   Grammar Note

   A masculine noun.

9. فخار

   fakhkhār

   Pottery

   Usage

   Nabeul is famous for pottery; plates and jars can be bought at markets and workshops.

   Grammar Note

   A collective noun; one piece is "qṭaʿ fakhkhār".

10. مزود

    mezwid

    Mezwid (Tunisian bagpipes)

    Usage

    An instrument with a goatskin bag, used in loud folk music; you may hear it at festivals and weddings.

    Grammar Note

    A masculine noun; the music played on it is also called "mezwid".

11. زكرة

    zokra

    Zokra (reed pipe)

    Usage

    A reed instrument used in folk music and at festivals.

    Grammar Note

    A feminine noun.

12. بندير

    bendīr

    Bendir (hand drum)

    Usage

    A tambourine-like hand drum; players warm it over a fire to tighten the skin.

    Grammar Note

    A masculine noun.

13. تراث

    turāth

    Heritage

    Usage

    The general word for traditional music, dress and crafts; often heard in museums and guided tours.

    Grammar Note

    A masculine noun, followed by an adjective: "turāth tūnsi" (Tunisian heritage).

14. صناعات تقليدية

    ṣināʿāt taqlīdiyya

    Traditional handicrafts

    Usage

    Crafts such as pottery, carpets and copperware; specialised shops and markets let you compare items and prices.

    Grammar Note

    A plural noun followed by a plural adjective.

15. حمام

    ḥammām

    Hammam (public bath)

    Usage

    A traditional steam bath for warming up and scrubbing. Men and women use it at different times, so check at the entrance.

    Grammar Note

    A masculine noun; for the toilet say "twālāt" instead.

16. خلخال

    khalkhāl

    Khalkhal (silver anklet)

    Usage

    A traditional silver anklet worn by women; you can find it in jewellery souks.

    Grammar Note

    A masculine noun.

17. ماء الورد

    mā l-ward

    Rose water

    Usage

    Rose water used to flavour sweets and tea, sold in small bottles.

    Grammar Note

    "Mā" (water) followed by "l-ward" (the roses).

18. ماء الزهر

    mā z-zhar

    Orange blossom water

    Usage

    A fragrant water distilled around Nabeul, used in pastries and coffee.

    Grammar Note

    "Zhar" means blossom here; the same spelling also means luck.

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