Tunisia

Mughal, M.A.Z.

Abstract

Tunisia is an Arab country located in North Africa, situated between Algeria and Libya. Because of its location along the Mediterranean Sea, it has attracted a diverse population throughout its history, while the country’s proximity to the Sahara Desert has brought Tunisians into contact with the peoples of the interior of Africa. Tunisia’s indigenous Berbers (also called Amazigh) resided in the region long before the arrival of the Arabs in the seventh century. Between 60 percent to 90 percent of modern Tunisians are thought to be descendants of the indigenous Berbers or of mixed Arab and Berber ancestry. The Precise number of Berbers is unknown, however, as most of the indigenous population has assimilated with the Arabs over many centuries. A small population of some 60,000 Berbers—representing less than 1 percent of the population—live in the southern part of the country, mainly in Djerba, Matmata, Tataouine, and east of Gafsa. Primarily pastoralists, they still speak the Berber language.

Citation

Mughal, M. (2013). Tunisia. In S. L. Danver (Ed.), Native peoples of the world : an encyclopedia of groups, cultures, and contemporary issues (688-689). Routledge

• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2013
• Deposit Date: Aug 31, 2012
• Publisher: Routledge
• Pages: 688-689
• Series Number: 3
• Book Title: Native peoples of the world : an encyclopedia of groups, cultures, and contemporary issues.
• Keywords: Native peoples, Tunisia, Berber people, Amazigh culture, North Africa, Language and identity, Race and ethnicity.
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1679324
• Publisher URL: http://www.routledge.com/9780765682222