The Jews of Testour: From a diasporic community to a shared collective memory

Abstract

The Sephardic is a Hebrew cognomen designating the Jews in Spain. These latter are considered the first Judeo-Spanish who chose Tunisia as a refuge destination, notably following the fall of Grenada in 1492 and the issuing expulsion of of Jews and Muslims (Moriscos) from Spain to Tunisia 5 Tunis, Zaghouen, Testour…etc).

From the beginning of the XV^thcentury, chiefly in the XVI ^th, Italy at first has hosted a portion of the Jews driven out of the Iberian Peninsula, yet offered only a n uncertain temporary haven. During that time, Tunisia the country which received the largest number of Moriscos, became an attracting center for Spanish Jews known for commerce.

This contribution became an occasion for selecting Testour City to be one of the most important cities hosting Spanish Jews. It was a center of a prominent diasporal community starting from the XVII^th Century, during Yusuf Dey’srule (1610-1637).

Besides, starting from 1667, all Andalousian Jews fleeing were expelled in masses towards North Africa in general, and Tunisia in particular. They formed a minoritarian community, structured by Gorneyim, in Testour, where they differed greatly from the Jews indigenous of the region due to their European origin. They were regarded as an evident example of the European bourgeoisie. This contribution became the occasion for research of the diaspora coming from Spain that is distinct with its valuable, social and cultural identity. The method we are suggesting allows for presenting a critical look at the existence of this community along all these centuries.

Key words: Jewish Diaspora, Testour Andalusian city, shared memory, Judeo-Tunisian patrimony, plural community.