The Ghorfas of Medenine

The Ghorfas of Medenine refer to a group of Berber nomads in the southern Tunisia, particularly in the city of Medenine. They are known for their traditional way of life, including their nomadic habits and intricate crafts. The Ghorfas are an important part of the cultural heritage of Tunisia and have made significant contributions to the country’s rich and diverse cultural identity.

Médenine brings together a modern city and a fortified village, better known as a ksar, made up of granaries, or ghorfas, pretty old squares and colorful and lively markets. Far from the big resorts and the hordes of tourists, we plunge here into the heart of a more authentic Tunisia, with a different architecture, inhabitants less accustomed to foreigners and buildings in the colors of the desert.

The ghorfas of Medenine give an original aspect to the ksour. These strange vaulted buildings built on top of each other generally rise five to six stories high and give the city an undeniable charm. Nicely restored from the time when they could serve as dwellings for the inhabitants, they resemble a succession of tunnels with their small openings and their rounded shapes, all in the colors of the desert.

Unless they belong to the same community, two neighboring ghorfas do not communicate. In pre-colonial times, Medenine was the most important trading center in the south, attracting merchants from all over North Africa and even from Bornu, south of the Sahara.

Be sure to lose yourself in the narrow streets of the fortified village, stroll through the fragrant and colorful markets of the new town and completely immerse yourself in the timeless atmosphere of the region. Almost everywhere you will have the opportunity to admire scenes of daily life, far from the tourist routes.