The manifacturing of tunisian Sheshia

Collection title

Craftsmen

ID

TUN00018

Source

TT (TN)

First broadcast date

12/12/2009

Production year

2009

Abstract

There is no agreement as to the history of the tunisian sheshia that started in Al Qairawan, capital of the Aghlabid state. Some state that with the arrival of the conquering islamic armies, some soldiers from the Persian city of shesh were wearing the sheshia ( hat), others say that it came from Tunis and dates back to the fourteenth century, with the coming of the Spaniards to the Maghreb area. The sheshia looks like the European hat, the tunisian one is characterized by its red colour whereas the libtan one is black. The shehsia is manifactured in special places called "shawashin" (manifacturers of sheshias) market. There are other types of headwear: The Tarbouche ( also known as Istambul sheshia, in reference to the city of Istambul in Turkey) and El Medjidi sheshia. To make a sheshia the wool is transformed in yarn, then comes the lining phase followed by the treatment with al kardoun plant roots, the dying step and a second treatment, and finally the moulding to get the final shape. The sheshia is worn mainly by aged persons, young boys wear it during their cicumcision. Al Husseyniyin Beys used to have their sheshia which craftsmen are trying to reintroduce by changing its colours.

Type

video

Production companies

• Tunisian TV - Own production

Broadcaster

Télévision Tunisienne - Télévision Tunisienne 2

Audiovisual form

Documentary

Primary theme

Markets and crafts

Secondary themes

• Society and way of life / Festivals and traditions

Credits / Cast

• El Kettani Ilhem - Speaker
• Eddebabi Mustapha - Producer

Period of events

• 2009

Map locations

• Tunisia - North - Antique city

Original language

Arabic

Media running time

11m2

Additional information