Guermassa Berber Village

Guermassa Berber village lies roughly twenty kilometers from Tataouine in southern Tunisia. This mountain village is famous for a traditional craft called margoum (embroidery). However, women and young girls of recent generations have not carried on this tradition. Changing lifestyles and the monopoly of industrial manufacturers have caused this decline. Guermassa is one of the ksour of Tunisia. Moreover, it also has cave dwellings. Once an impregnable citadel, this village now ranks among the most spectacular sites in southeastern Tunisia.

Guermassa Berber Village : An Abandoned Citadel

Guermassa once served as an impregnable citadel. It stands on a steep peak in the middle of the Dahar mountains. The old village, now abandoned, covers a vast area. It borders an eagle’s nest rock and a mountain ridge. Many of its houses are carved partly into the rock. Consequently, the first inhabitants of Guermassa were troglodytes. Some houses have a floor for storing provisions. Visitors can also see survivals of very old traditions in Guermassa. These include a children’s cemetery, engravings, and inscriptions that commemorate marriages. Along with Chenini and Douiret, Guermassa is one of the most spectacular sites in the Tataouine region. Ultimately, this Berber village offers an unforgettable journey into Tunisia’s mountain heritage.