About Tunisia - Tunisia Guide & Information

The Phoenicians introduced the alphabet to the Mediterranean region, but sadly little of their writings have survived. Tunisian literature really starts in the Roman and Byzantine periods. St Augustine was the most outstanding writer in the area of present-day Tunisia, later, the widespread reading of the Koran played an important role in the development of Arab literature. Many folk tales and poems existed in the past, often told by wandering storytellers at marketplaces and festivals. Modern Tunisian literature grew from a cultural renaissance in the early 20th century, with poetry being dominant genre.

Traditional Tunisian Literature

Many early writings produced in Ifriqiyya (the Arab province of North Africa that included Tunisia) hark back to the 6th century, and there is some from pre-Islamic times, but most is associated with Muslim theology. The early (pre-Islamic) legacy of this period consists mainly of Bedouin writings, many preserved through oral tradition. The most famous authors to have survived from this time are the writers of al-Mu’allaqat (The Seven Odes). Most notable among these are Antarah, Tarafah and Imru’al-Qays who, along with others, produced a wide-ranging collection of poems covering everything from court life to love and adventure.

 The 9th century hailed a collection of hadiths by Sahnoun Ibn Sa’id devoted to the life and teachings of the prophet Mohammed. However, the most famous writer born in Tunisia is Ibn Khaldoun (1332-1406), an outstanding historian who is regarded as the founding father of sociology and political science. He compiled his studies and thoughts in a grand work on world history, Kitab al-Ibar (The Book of Experience). More famous than the main text, however, is the Muqaddimah, or foreword, in which he summarises the state of contemporary knowledge, and attempts to explain social and economic processes.

Roman Writers

St Augustine (354-430) was the most famous writer to live in the area of present day Tunisia. Born in Tagaste (now Souk Ahras), Augustine studied philosophy in Carthage. He was first attracted to the philosophy of Plato but after a study of St Paul’s writings became baptised as a Christian. He was a prolific writer and many of his works survive today with his best-known work being the autobiographical Confessions. Today, he is seen as one of the great fathers of the Latin Church.