Chechia

The chechia is a male cover-chief carried by many ized people Islam. It is the national cover-chief of the Tunisia.

Cousin of the European Beret, the chechia is in the beginning a bonnet in form of Calotte of color Rouge Vermillon in Tunisia or Noir E in Libya.

History

The tradition makes go up its manufacture with Kairouan at the second century of the Hégire. It draws however its name from the Adjectif derived from Shash (name of current the Tachkent in Ouzbékistan). Of cylindrical form, the chechia is imported into Tunisia, under its current form, since the Spain by the Moors expelled after the catch of Grenade in 1492. Finding in Tunisia one second fatherland, they establish the Artisanat to with it chechia. Starting from the Years 1920, the Tunisian freedom fighters wear more and more chechia testouriya (originating in Testour) because its name is close to that of their party (Destour). Its manufacture is regarded as a refined art and answers strict traditions. Whoever wishing to launch out in this particular craft industry must before pass an closer examination before a committee appointed craftsmen. Made by highly skilled chaouachis, the chechia is not long in occupying three Souk S entireties in the Médina of Tunis, so much its success is large, which gives work to thousands of people.

The official figures given by the Tunisian Office of traditional industries indicates that 80% of the chechias are exported in Algérie, to the Morocco and the Sudan but also in all the the Middle East and until in Asia.

Stages of manufacture

The traditional chechia is made of combed Laine Tricot ée by the women who make the bonnets kabbous . These bonnets are sent to pressing: they are wet with warm water and Savon and the men press them with the feet, in order to soften them, so much so that the Maille S of knitting will have almost disappeared. Then comes the treatment from the Chardon, which is used for carding or combing of the bonnet, in order to transform the felt into Velours duveté. However, more and more often, the thistle is replaced by a metal Brosse. It is at this stage of manufacture that the chechia is tinted of its famous dyed red vermilion but one finds of them from now on colors more varied.

Division of the labor and geographical distribution allow its artisanal production large scales while preserving the quality which makes the reputation of the chechia of Tunis. A dozen people, of which thirds of women, take part in her manufacture in several points of the countries chosen according to their human or material Resources. Water quality plays a big role from where different choices for the Foulage and the Teinture.

Craft industry in crisis

After the independence of Tunisia in 1956, with the arrival of the manufactured goods and of Habit S coming from the Occident, the port of the chechia tends to be limited to the holidays and religious holidays and is often associated with the Third age. The absence of coherent governmental program takes part of this decline in the eyes of the traditionalists
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