Cultural communication between Syria and Tunisia

 Cultural communication between Syria and Tunisia

When asked about where I am from, I always want to answer that I am from everywhere and that boundaries should not determine which piece of land I choose to belong to. Then it strikes me that this piece of land is not a mere soul-less geographic area but rather rich in history and cultural specificities. The latter is what makes nations similar yet so different at the same time. Let us take the example of Syria and its Arabic counterpart Tunisia. Those two countries have a lot to share be it historically with the Ottoman rule, or in the modern times having both got their independence from the French colonizer. Those common grounds have however translated into widely different daily life and cultural rituals.

Language:

While the French literacy rate in Tunisia exceeds 60% of the population and half of the newspapers there are in French, Syrians have refused to incorporate the colonizer’s French-language into their educational system as an act of resistance. This along with the many Tamazight words in the Tunisian dialect (the native language of North Africa), makes it a challenge for Syrians to keep up with the Tunisians speaking their own accent, which sounds to them like complete jargon. The language difference has not at all hinder communications between both nations, thanks to the proliferation of Syrian series (and middle eastern media in general) to the Maghreb or the North African Arab countries. Those TV shows made it as easy as ever to Tunisians to master in most cases the Syrian dialect and even try to communicate with them in it, letting go sometimes of their own dialect. Media has indeed shortened communication barriers and helped foster relationships between the two peoples. 

Food:

Food does indeed bring people together. What could possibly be better than a well-rounded table full of Hummus, Tabbouleh, Fattouch, Batata Harra and Kouskous? Similar to Lebanese cuisine, the Syrian cuisine is heavily based on starters and on diversified platters on one table. The Tunisian cuisine is however based on main courses and is the best in bringing together the best spices. Speaking of which, Tunisia is famous for its spicy pepper-based paste called Harissa, not the Lady Harissa, but a very tongue-picking hot paste commonly used in sandwiches and as siders, but really, with literally anything else

            The Syrian Kabab

                                                                    The Tunisian Harrissa

Music:

Another thing that promotes cultural dialogue surprisingly even better than languages is arts. No matter how different music is in Syria and Tunisia, which it is, Syrian songs always find their way in Tunisian’s Radios and car stereos. A special thing about Tunisian songs, at least the Tunisian folklore and old ones, is that they convey a certain Mediterranean feel through special instruments like Oud, Zokra, Darbouka, and Mezwed. Those rhythms, completely worthy of discovery compete with Syrian rhythms rich in culture and Arab history translated by instruments like Kanoun, Oud, Tableh … The two different types of music intersect in so many ways, especially the more modern they get. Try asking around about the Tunisian song: Barsha Barsha by Saber Rebai in Damascus streets, and I dare you to find someone who doesn’t know it.