Souq Al Bchamkiya
36°47′48″N 10°10′12″E / 36.7967154°N 10.1698755°E
Souq Al Bchamkiya (Arabic: سوق البشامقية) is a former souk of the medina of Tunis, specialized in bechmak (Turkish slippers) trading.
History[edit]
The souk was constructed by Yusuf Dey at the same time as his own mosque. It is part of his complex with different building having commercial and religious functions.[1]
With the disappearance of qadis (judges) and mudarris (teachers), the corporation of bechmak craftsmen is dissolved and so did the craft, and its souk.[2]
Location[edit]
The souk is located near the crossing of the Sidi Ben Ziad Street and Souk El Bey. It surrounds the Youssef Dey Mosque from three sides: east, north and west. Some of its shops are placed within the platform holding the mosque.[1]
Nowadays, shops formerly located on the side of Dar El Bey are attached to this monument, and those located under the platform are reallocated to other uses, such as a branch of the Société Tunisienne de Banque.[2]
Products[edit]
With the arrival of the Turks in Tunisia, Turkish clothing style was introduced. Bechmak (pashmak in Turkish) were new shoe ou slipper styles worn by Turks.[1]
The yellow bechmak were worn by men, especially judges of the Hanafi Sunni islamic school, while women wore them in various colors.[1]
Notes and references[edit]
- ^ a b c d Ahmed Saadaoui (2010). Tunis, ville ottomane : trois siècles d'urbanisme et d'architecture (in French). Tunis: Centre de publication universitaire. pp. 28–30. ISBN 978-9973-37-023-5.
- ^ a b Archives de l'Association de sauvegarde de la médina de Tunis (1982). Étude analytique des espaces de production et d'échange dans la médina de Tunis (in French). Tunis: Association de sauvegarde de la médina de Tunis. pp. 18–19.
