What Are Their Beliefs?

The Amazigh in Zaghouan are Malaki Muslims, following the Arab Tunisian majority people
group. This differentiates the Amazigh in Zaghouan from the rest of the Amazigh in Tunisia
who follow the Ibadi school of Islam.

Muslims follow the teaching of Muhammad, who lived in the 6-7th centuries in Saudi Arabia.
They believe in one God, whom they call Allah (Arabic for "the God"). At judgment day, all
people will be judged for their deeds and, if their good works outweigh their bad, then Allah
will welcome them into paradise. If not, then they will be sentenced to eternal hell. In order to
obtain salvation, they must follow the five pillars of Islam: prayer five times a day, fasting
from dawn to dusk during the month of Ramadan, giving to the poor, and, if possible, a
pilgrimage to Mecca, to be done at least once in their lifetime (Hajj). Regarding Jesus, they
believe that he was a prophet, but that his teachings are inferior to those of Muhammad.

Establishment :

The Temple of Water or was constructed in 139AD around the waters’ source. It showcased
Roman scriptures and statues of Roman gods.the temple was used to transport the water from
ziqua to carthage using the aqueduct.

Introduction :

Zaghouan is a peaceful town that rests at the ridge of the Djebel Zaghouan, on the northern
side of the Tunisian Dorsal mountains. Dating back to Roman times, Zaghouan offers a
glimpse of the past through archaeological sites, including the Temple of Water, and gives a
taste of adventure through mountain activities such as caving and hiking.

The maalouf music

One can not visit zaghouan without at tending malouf concert. Families pass down the music
of maalouf from one generation to another and there are many groups still active.

The water of nesri : (la rosa canina : espanish name) :

Ethincs group :

the Arab migrations, and the expulsion of the ‘‘Moors’’ from Spain, had a strong cultural influence.
Nonetheless, the genetic structure and the population relationships of the ethnic groups living in
zaghouen.

North Africa resulted from the expulsion of the ‘‘Moors’’ residing in Andalusia (in southern Spain)
after Granada’s capitulation (in 1492 A.D.). Tunisia received a large number of immigrants, estimated
to have been over 80,000 ‘‘Andalusians’’ (Abdul-Wahab, 1917), who settled in the north of the
country in dispersed, small isolated villages like Zaghouan village. ‘‘Andalusian’’ villages were similar
to ancient Arabic towns in Spain (Latham, 1957), recognized in the many archaeological and cultural
imprints, such as the architecture of houses and mosques (Marcias, 1942; Saadani, 1990), Arab–
Andalusian music (Marzouki, 1994), marital clothes, and culinary traditions (DeEpalza, 1980; Skhiri,
1968; Skhiri, 1969). Nowadays, ‘‘Andalusian’’ families are often identifiable by their surnames, such
as Zbiss, Marco, and Blanco, which are very different from Arabic ones (Marcias, 1942).

Table manners

Food is traditionally served at a knee-high round table but this has now changed to match the
European habits of table and chairs.

The guest of honour generally sits next to the host.

A washing basin will be brought to the table before the meal is served. Hold your hands over the
basin while water is poured over them. - Dry your hands on the towel provided.

Males and females may often eat separately: men first and then women.

Do not begin eating until the host blesses the food or begins to eat.

Food is served from a communal bowl.

Eat from the section of the bowl that is in front of you. Never reach across the bowl to get something
from the other side. As an honoured guest, choice morsels will be put in front of you.

Food is eaten by hand but many now use knives and forks. You will be given a spoon to eat couscous.

If using your hands scoop the food with the first two fingers of the right hand.

Eat only with the right hand.

It is considered good manners to try a bit of everything.

The washing basin will be brought around the table again at the end of the meal.

Expect to be urged to take more food from the communal plate.

Dialect(s).

In zaghouan , there are primarily three languages used: the local Tunisian dialect, Arabic and French.
The third language of zaghouan is Tunisian Arabic. Known locally as Darija (meaning dialect) or Tunsi
(meaning Tunisian), Tunisian Arabic is very different from Classical or Modern Standard Arabic.
Considered a derivative of Classical Arabic, Tunisian Arabic has a vocabulary that is Arabic. However,
many of its words are French, Turkish, Italian, Spanish and Berber – all the cultures that have
influenced this great country. Spoken by 11 million people, Darija is spoken in Tunisia. Similar dialects
of Darija are spoken in parts of Algeria and Libya. Visitors to zaghouan who are fluent in Arabic may
not understand Tunisian Arabic, but will be pleased that Tunisians can also communicate in Standard
Arabic .While Modern Standard Arabic is the official language of Tunisia, Tunisian Arabic is its native
language. Tunisian Arabic, or Darija, is a spoken language. Darija is now being used in on-line
conversation. Being more recognized, especially by the younger generation, Darija is evolving. New
words in French and English have been integrated, as well as technological terms. Antiquated French
and Spanish words are being replaced with Standard Arabic. Derija is a familial dialect and more of a
people’s language than the formality of Modern Standard Arabic.