The creations of Tunisia's silversmiths hold a special place in its society, serving not only as an indicator of wealth or status but also as a reflection of the many civilisations that contributed to its culture over thousands of years.
Handcrafted pieces by these traditional artisans – from the ubiquitous hand-shaped pendants known as khomsa, believed to be capable of warding off the evil eye, to the yaz symbol of the Amazigh and the rayhanna necklace worn by most Tunisian women – continue to hold their own against modern, mass-produced designs.
“We are preserving this craft because it is our country’s patrimony and reflects the civilisations that crossed throughout its history,” says Chiheb Ben Jaballah, 70, whose father and grandfather were also silversmiths.
Mr Ben Jaballah says Tunisian women have always considered the ownership of silver items as a source of pride, even after gold became more widely available in the market.
“Brides who come from wealthy families used to leave their family home with at least 18 jewellery pieces made of silver on their wedding gown, as well as 22 items such as a mirror, hair comb, bath kettle and pail. All of it needs to be made of silver with special engravings,” he said.
History and authenticity
Working from a small shop in the western Tunis suburb of Denden, Mr Ben Jaballah is also the last artisan in Tunisia to still specialise in the art of making and engraving swords and daggers whose designs date back to periods in the country's history when it was under the control of the Carthaginians, Amazigh and Andalusians.
“Each of these pieces symbolises something according to its size, shape and engravings. Those intricate details tell you about the specific era they come from,” he said.
While size and patterns vary from one region to another in Tunisia, characteristics such as symbols and shapes that continue to resist time and change are from the Amazigh, North Africa’s indigenous inhabitants who remain its most predominant ethnic group.
Mr Jaballah not only continues the traditional engraving methods taught by his father, but does so using tools he makes himself.
“All of the tools you see here I have created myself for each pattern I carve; they cannot be ordered from any other place and I am the only one that knows how to create them,” he says.
Each of these pieces [swords] symbolise something according to its size, shape and carve … Those intricate details tell you about the specific era where they come from
Chiheb Eddine Ben Jaballah,
silversmith
None of Mr Ben Jaballah's children inherited his passion for working silver, so he began mentoring and teaching young artisans amid concern that his family heritage would disappear.
Among them is Wissal Khammassi, a doctoral student in the art of history, who first met Mr Jaballah as an undergraduate in 2008 and has since become one of his most loyal students and friends.
“It all started as a personal passion as I loved creating my own jewellery,” Ms Khammassi says.
“I would drop by after my university classes every day and Mr Chiheb would teach me how to handle the basic materials, both silver and copper, and how to engrave them to create both traditional pieces or techniques through which I could create my own designs.”
Today, Ms Khammassi is skilled enough to make jewellery, with her own touch that appeals to older generations and her peers.
“I would take these traditional models and add my own twist through incorporating things like amber or semi-precious natural stones,” she says.
Teaching the next generation
“We are trying to evolve the craft so that it does not disappear and maintains its charm for people to continue buying,” Mr Ben Jaballah says.
“Crafts are part of our intangible patrimony and are important both economically and culturally. I personally love this craft so much. It is part of our identity – for example, whoever sees you wearing a Khomsa or Rayhanna would instantly know you are Tunisian, you do not even need to speak.”
The skills of Tunisia's silversmiths was recognised by UN cultural agency Unesco in December, when it listed the engraving of metals such as copper and gold in 10 Arab countries on its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.
As is the case with her teacher, Ms Khammassi is trying to inculcate a love for this heritage by organising workshops for children. However, she fears the interest is not wide enough to ensure that all of Mr Ben Jaballah's knowledge and techniques will be passed on.
“Unfortunately, lots of these specific patterns are facing the risk of disappearance as many young people are no longer interested in this craft. I myself could not learn all of it due to how hard it is,” she says.
MATCH INFO
Leeds United 0
Brighton 1 (Maupay 17')
Man of the match: Ben White (Brighton)
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
Teaching in coronavirus times
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Starring Kangana Ranaut, Richa Chadha, Jassie Gill, Yagya Bhasin, Neena Gupta
Rating: 3.5/5
The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
The specs: 2019 Infiniti QX50
Price, base: Dh138,000 (estimate)
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 268hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy: 6.7L / 100km (estimate)
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Bundesliga fixtures
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
Tuesday's fixtures
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
Company profile
Name: Oulo.com
Founder: Kamal Nazha
Based: Dubai
Founded: 2020
Number of employees: 5
Sector: Technology
Funding: $450,000
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Scores in brief:
Day 1
New Zealand (1st innings) 153 all out (66.3 overs) - Williamson 63, Nicholls 28, Yasir 3-54, Haris 2-11, Abbas 2-13, Hasan 2-38
Pakistan (1st innings) 59-2 (23 overs)
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Company%C2%A0profile
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Cast: Colin Firth, Matthew Macfayden, Kelly Macdonald and Penelope Wilton
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At a glance
- 20,000 new jobs for Emiratis over three years
- Dh300 million set aside to train 18,000 jobseekers in new skills
- Managerial jobs in government restricted to Emiratis
- Emiratis to get priority for 160 types of job in private sector
- Portion of VAT revenues will fund more graduate programmes
- 8,000 Emirati graduates to do 6-12 month replacements in public or private sector on a Dh10,000 monthly wage - 40 per cent of which will be paid by government
Fifa Club World Cup quarter-final
Esperance de Tunis 0
Al Ain 3 (Ahmed 02’, El Shahat 17’, Al Ahbabi 60’)
MEYDAN CARD
6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group One (PA) US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm Handicap (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,200m
7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) $100,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm Singspiel Stakes Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m
8.50pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group Two (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,600m
10pm Dubai Trophy Conditions (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,200m
10.35pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
The National selections:
6.30pm AF Alwajel
7.05pm Ekhtiyaar
7.40pm First View
8.15pm Benbatl
8.50pm Zakouski
9.25pm: Kimbear
10pm: Chasing Dreams
10.35pm: Good Fortune
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if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
