The Objects Tunisia Is Known For (and Why They Last)
- Aya Omrani
- Sep 19
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 29
When people think of Tunisia, they often picture pottery, foutas, rugs, and glass. These are not souvenirs. They are objects shaped by centuries of knowledge, still used in homes today.
This guide maps the traditional crafts Tunisia is known for, and why they hold value far beyond decoration.
Pottery: From Sejnane to Every Table
Sejnane pottery is handmade by women, using techniques passed from mother to daughter.
It is recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Heritage.
The clay is sun-dried, fired in open flames, and decorated with natural pigments.
Sejnane is not about perfection. It is about continuity. Each piece carries fingerprints and the rhythm of handwork.
Foutas: From Hammam to Beach
A fouta is a handwoven cotton cloth, traditionally used in hammams.
Today, foutas travel everywhere; as towels, throws, table covers, or wraps.
They are light, durable, and quick-drying, making them a global design staple.
Tunisia’s weaving regions, from Kairouan to Mahdia, continue to produce foutas on traditional looms.
Rugs: Margoum and Beyond
Margoum rugs are flat-woven textiles with geometric motifs, rooted in North African Berber heritage.
They are semi-nomadic weaves, often combining wool with cotton for strength.
Each rug encodes regional symbols of fertility, protection, and continuity.
Unlike industrial carpets, Tunisian rugs carry stories; every knot tied by hand.
Glass: A New Tradition
While not as ancient as pottery or rugs, Tunisia’s blown glass tradition has developed into a craft of its own.
Workshops like those in Nabeul and Tunis transform recycled glass into carafes, bowls, and lights.
Each piece is hand-shaped, with small variations that show its making.
Tunisian glass is about giving form to what is fragile, and making it useful again.
Beyond Souvenirs
Tourist markets often reduce these crafts to souvenirs. But in truth, they are living objects, part of Tunisia’s rhythm of daily life.
Pottery is used for cooking and storage.
Foutas dry after every bath.
Rugs warm homes.
Glass fills tables.
They last because they are still used, not because they are preserved.
Tunisia is not a supplier of souvenirs. It is the origin of objects that hold weight, use, and meaning. Choosing them is not about nostalgia. It is about continuity.
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