Zraoua Berber Village

Zraoua Berber Village, also known as “the old Zraoua,” is one of the Amazigh villages whose construction dates back hundreds of years. On Sunday, April 28, the village vibrated to the rhythm of a vast awareness-raising operation. Local civil society organized this event. The village stands on a high plateau in the Matmata mountains (governorate of Gabès). It lies near the two Berber villages of Taoujout and Tamazerat. The population mobilized in great numbers for this operation. All categories of residents participated. Their goal was to revitalize their village, previously chosen by foreign image veterans.

According to activist Ahmed Mahrouq, this operation is part of the population’s efforts. They seek to promote their region and attract the attention of the authorities. This southern region has been one of the places prized by the protagonists of the image. Some locals believe that with a little more interest, “Zraoua” can become a cinematic village par excellence. The area has remained pristine and provides a rich product that does not require much decor.

Zraoua Berber Village : Abandonment and Cinematic Legacy

The inhabitants of old Zraoua left their village towards the end of the 1970s. They moved to the new village of Zraoua near the plain. Consequently, the old village was abandoned, and its dwellings now threaten to collapse. This situation requires maintenance work to preserve its components. However, the funds allocated are insufficient given the volume of interventions required.

The Amazigh village “Echraoua” has attracted the attention of many directors and film producers. It has been a privileged place for shooting scenes for several films. Notable examples include “La soif noire” by French director Jean-Jacques Annaud and the doc-fiction “The Rite of Man” by French filmmaker Jacques Malaterre. Ultimately, Zraoua Berber Village offers an unforgettable journey into Tunisia’s Berber heritage and cinematic history.