The Festival of Sidi Ali Ben Oun is in a town located under Bouzid, in the middle of the country.
The name of the town comes from a man named Ali Ben Oun.
He was born in 1640 and died in 1760, it is said that he lived until he was 120 years old.
He was a wise and respected man the people sought out when they had problems or advice.
Stories say that he had powers out of the ordinary. It is said, among other things, that he could communicate with animals.
After his death, a monument was built in his memory. Since then, a mosque was built.There he is, his daughter and some of his sons.
Visiting the Festival of Sidi Ali Ben Aoun
I have been there a few times and one can feel the strong presence of these and one gets an incredible peace when one sits there.
The festival of Sidi Ali Ben Oun was formed a few years after his death.
Usually the festival is in August but this year it was delayed due to Covid. see (How to get your vacination card in Tunisia )
During the festival, people gather from north to south. There is a lot of work behind this festival and there are both young and old who should have the credit for it.
The festival includes horse races with people showing off traditional costumes, local and traditional food. They show how a traditional wedding is held. They read poems and they sell various crafts and goods.
Participants come from different countries such as Algeria and Libya.
It is unbelievably great to see proud men from three different countries riding horses with their national clothes and weapons.
Women also participate on horseback.
Pictures from the festival 2017
The end of the festival this year unfortunately ended tragically.
During a horse race, a horse fell and the horse that came after crashing into it and was badly injured. The rider came from kebili
From facebook page ( Festival International de Sidi Ali Ben Aoun )
He was devastated by the loss of his horse.
Then one of Sidi Ali Ben Oun’s inhabitants showed how generous and sympathetic the Tunisians can be. He gave the rider a two year old horse with the message that «you will not go home with an empty saddle!
This is true Tunisian charity that is highly respected!
So if you are in Tunisia in August and you have time I would highly recommend you go to Sidi Ali Ben Oun to see this festival. You will not regret it!
Written by Carita
Follow me
