Monthly Archives: February 2019

Sixty-years old Hedi ARFAOUI with his fresh and live spirit, has been doing this job for more than 50 years without feeling exhausted or wishing to leave it. He is the creator of Birdcages of Sidi Bou Said.

Tunisia is one of the biggest olive-growing countries of the southern Mediterranean region; over 30% of its cultivated land is dedicated to olive growing (1.68 million ha).     

The 16th of March remains a distinguishable day in which Tunisians celebrate their cultural roots, honor the traditional outfit and emphasize the fact that the significant unique cultural heritage is retained through the handicrafts production.

The halfa is millennial, beautiful, solid, demanding and is not easily given. This job requires endurance, patience, savoir-faire and is transmitted from one generation to another one. It is named as the job of women and is considered as one of the main sources of earning in North West of Tunisia.

The Alfa / Halfa is a perennial grass, which abounds in north africa, in the regions of high steppes. the Carthaginians introduced them in Andalusia, probably at the origin, for the manufacture of their ropes. In Tunisia, Alfa mainly grows in Kasserine but also in Gafsa, Sidi Bouzid and Kairouan. These grasses grow in clumps not exceeding one meter in height and form large sheets.

Tunisia has always been a crossing of civilizations which allowed to create a brand image in the artisanal sector through the handcrafted products. It gathers the story of the national identity and the ancestral skills of the artisans.

Sidi Bou Said is a well-known touristic village. Indeed, it is the copy of the blue town Santorini of Greece. This small village is located on top of a cliff that overlooks the Mediterranean Sea.  Sidi Bou Said was named after a religious figure named Sidi Bou Said Elbeji. It is very known with its popular traditional Tunisian crafts. The Sidi Bou Said Bird’s cage represents the emblem of this phenomenal place.

The Tunisian historical patrimony provides a very unique art selection to create a brand image in the artisanal sector through the handcrafted products. In fact, it gathers the story of the national identity and the skill of the Tunisian artisans. Qartaj offers to you Handmade Products made of ceramic, wood and other materials for daily use and decorative purposes designed by exceptional modelers.

The value handicrafts exports, in the Monastir region, exceeded 8 million dinars (MDT) in 2018, including 4 MDT generated exclusively by the Tunisian fouta, which achieves a remarkable breakthrough

2018 was a turning point in the artisanal field in Tunisia. Many young business founders are distinguished by their know-how, the quality of their products but especially by the authenticity of their brands. They ensured that our precious heritage be preserved but, at the same time, they were open  to a touch of exceptional modernity.