FROM GABES TRIP ON THE PATH OF THE BERBER

TATAOUINE - CHENINI - KSAR GUERMASSA - KSAR HADADA

BERBER REGION 2 DAYS PRIVATE TOUR

FROM GABES

NIGHT IN TROGLODYTE COTTAGE

TOUR ON TWO DAYS

The Berber village of Chenini:

The population which resides in the village of Chenini, is Berber,

the Zenetes. The Berbers, the indigenous population of the region, were present in this region long before the arrival of the Arabs at the end

of the 7th century. Berbers are considered to be

the first inhabitants of Tunisia and North Africa in general.

They called themselves "Amazigh" (free men). To protect themselves from the attacks perpetrated by the surrounding tribes through the ages, the local population of the area of Chenini settled in the mountains to organize and build a new specific kind of housing, in order to ensure their safety, face to the invaders.

Called Ksars or Ksour in the plural and villages of ridges, this is what this excursion will make you discover over two days.

The Ksour of Tunisia are granaries for the use of one or more tribes. They are mainly concentrated in the southeast

of the country, in the area between Matmata and Tataouine, where there are about 150.

These ksour are part of the cultural heritage of this region of Tunisia and bear witness to its historical and sociological evolution.

The ksar is generally provided with a single entrance, protected by a door, except in the case of plain ksour. These places are used for social life: Meeting, welcoming visitors and carrying out commercial transactions. On the courtyard, there are ghorfas, four at most, arranged on the ground floor or in floors. Some ksour have a second courtyard if they have experienced an extension, as is the case

from Ksar Ouled Soltane who thus has 440 ghorfas

while the average is between 150 and 200.

The ghorfas are superimposed cells, closed on the outside, presenting the appearance of a compact wall. Small pieces of four

five meters deep and two meters high and wide,

they are used to store over long periods up to seven years of dryness of food products: the cereals in the lower part, possibly in compartments separated by low walls, olives and cheeses hung on olive wood bars located in the upper part ventilated by two opening holes in the exterior and interior walls.

The different ghorfas are joined but do not communicate,

unless they belong to the same owner, and no corridor

does not allow to move horizontally between them, they are not always always on the same level. It is reached by a rudimentary staircase or by bars of olive wood inserted in the wall. Sometimes a small discreet space is arranged between two ghorfas to hide precious goods.

Tataouine is the capital of the Berber region of southern Tunisia,

the starting point to discover the ksour and neighboring Berber villages as part of your excursion:

"In the footsteps of the Berbers".

These villages are perched atop the rocky hills.

The Berbers fled the plains at the time of the invasions,

and transformed the caves of these hills into cave dwellings. The celebrity of Tataouine, is the military convict of the French army which it sheltered until 1938, year of the abolition of convicts in France. It hosted "Bat 'd'Af", (Battalions of Africa),

whose recruits were ordinary convicts

or soldiers punished for indiscipline. The conditions of detention had the reputation of being very harsh.

This former prison was replaced by a barracks of the Tunisian army.

Ksar Hadada

The Ksar Hadada consists of 380 one-story ghorfas. It served as a set for the movie "Star Wars"

in 1999 (Mos Espa - Episode I).

Ksar Guermassa

It will take a 4x4 to reach the old Guermassa, this Berber village clinging to the hillside, a village unfortunately less preserved than the others, but which offers an exceptional panorama.

Chenini

Very beautiful and most visited village, located 18 km west of Tataouine, Chenini is perched on a ridge. You will discover the cave dwellings, built in the rock. A beautiful mosque in the XIII century stands between the two peaks.

Douiret

Less crowded than Chenini, Douiret is one of the most beautiful villages

of the region, perched on a hill. The houses are built into the rock, the leading stairs to the top of the hill to discover a unique perspective.

Ksar ouled Soltane

Ksar with 4 floors, an Arab and non-Berber Ksar, not fortified.

Made up of the most beautiful 4-story ghorfas.

PROGRAM

Day 1

Departure from your place of stay in Gabes for the visit of the Ksar of Medenine.
Visit of Ksar Hadada, (scenery for the Star Wars film).
Visit the citadel of Guermassa.
Lunch break in a typical restaurant in the village of Guermassa.
Guided tour of the village of Chennini.
Departure for the village of Douiret via a magnificent mountain road.
Installation and dinner and night in a cave cottage.