Elite group bards mostly did in order to a gathering of males, given that cafes was basically guys-merely rooms and you will hammams sex-segregated
Fdaouis largely worked in public places – cafes, s. Certain cafes actually got their particular bards. In the middle of the fresh cigarette smoking, chatter, objections and you may wit, it entertained, sidetracked and made the way of life. While it try frowned upon to possess a woman so you’re able to linger outside their own home and you may pay attention to new reports away from one just who could be trying to entice or corrupt their own, many women did be involved in that it people art, revealing their tales yourself. Inside a family group otherwise societal community, feminine carry out employ who one of the moms and dads, aunts, grannies and sisters was in fact very skilled from the storytelling. That is just how my brother turned our family’s unofficial fdaouia – primarily since the immediately after she gets come, nobody is able to prevent their unique.
Pursuing the my dad’s recollections, I happened to be drawn to explore the industry of Tunisian bards. The huge repertoire out of tales ranged, just a few common archetypes shone courtesy. There had been tales about the aroussa, or fiance, the new azouza, or dated woman, steeped businessmen, sultans and you colombian hotteste piger will worst, sad souls. Matrimonial issues and you may inheritance conflicts seemed greatly. Reports you may last for days otherwise a couple of minutes. For the smaller front side, Tunisian bards received to the Joha arsenal, a greatest individuals profile found into the reports out-of Central Asia so you’re able to North Africa. Joha, also known as Nasreddin Hodja during the Poultry, is actually an enthusiastic irreverent trickster, which have a tendency to finds himself inside grotesque situations. One day, Joha would go to the marketplace. He finishes from the a beneficial grilled meat stay; it seems delicious. Out of the blue, the merchant asks him to spend. “But as to the reasons?” asks Joha, who don’t consume things. “You smelled my beef, so you need to pay!” Joha takes out a coin and you can throws it to the a good tin container. “Today spend me personally, as you listened to new dangling regarding my personal money.”
Epics grabbed days so you can narrate. One of them, new Arabian impressive out-of Antar, an excellent knight and poet, that has influenced Arthurian romances. However the most well-known of all the epics is the brand new “Sirat Bani Hilal” otherwise “Al-Hilaliyyah.”
On almost 1 million verses, the newest epic is just one of the longest historical poems you to definitely bards memorized from age group to some other, and you can, since it is have a tendency to informed from the wedding parties and other household members celebrations, their story was woven towards towel regarding Tunisian neighborhood.
The guy shakes the package several times and you can faces the retailer
As the steaming heaps of couscous was basically offered, household within their finery create gather in the bard to know the storyline of your own traumatic excursion of the Banu Hilal Bedouin group as well as their commander Abu Zayd in order to Tunisia. Bards, often accompanied by an excellent troupe away from instrumentalists, carry out recount the fresh familiar facts off Abu Zayd’s ominous birth – a black bird did actually their mommy when she is actually pregnant – therefore the challenges he experienced to be a worthy character.
He matches so you can marry their dear Abla, that leads your towards many adventures showing their bravery
Although true heart of your tale is dependant on the journey toward exile regarding Abu Zayd in addition to Banu Hilal confederation off tribes he leads. It’s a keen Arab “Iliad”-meets-“Holy grail.” Several years of scarce food and reduced rain precipitate the departure out-of the fresh new group using their homeland. So it migration, called the “taghriba,” did typically can be found inside 11th century. Tens and thousands of Arabs marched westward in order to southern area Tunisia, and you will, in the unbelievable, they run into many others detours and you can adventures once an initial reconnaissance goal incurs challenge (related to a beneficial seductress, a snake or any other temptations and you can risks). The brand new sector of one’s tale you to definitely relates to new tribes’ Tunisian peregrinations might take a complete date for bards so you can recount. It is a heartbreaking story regarding conquest and you will failure. Joined throughout the conflict-time, Abu Zayd along with his tribesmen inevitably slain both on ruins.
