Zwawa in Tunisia during the Ottoman era: From migration to social integration

Abstract

The Algerian Community Enjoyed An Influential And Prominent Presence In Tunisia During The Modern Period, Which Served As An Open Space And A Hub For Social Diversity. This Diversity Was Apparent In The Mosaic Of People Who Arrived From Various Western Regency. Tunisian Society Absorbed Considerable Ethnographic Diversity, Among Which The Zawawa—Of Amazigh Origin—Being Among The Most Notable. Since Their Settlement In The Sixteenth Century, The Zawawa Played A Pivotal Role In Tunisia’s Deep Political, Social, And Economic Transformations Of The Modern Era. Their Growing Prominence Stemmed From Their Role As A Military Class, With Many Zawawa Integrated Into Military Life, Forming A Crucial Human Reserve That Ruling Regimes Relied Upon In Times Of Need To Maintain Internal Stability Especially During Times Of Internal Unrest And Crisis. As An Organized And Capable Military Group, The Zawawa Held An Important Position Within The State’s Administrative And Military Structures. Furthermore, Their Significant Contributions And Historical Loyalty To The Ruling Authority Reinforced Their Continued Inclusion Within The State Apparatus. Economically, The Zwawa Contributed To The Revitalization Of The Economic Cycle By Securing Roads And Trade Routes, Organizing Markets, Practicing Various Crafts And Commerce, And Participating In Tax Collection. Their Role Extended Beyond Military Duties, Adding A Strong Economic Dimension To Their Presence—Especially In Maintaining Commercial Stability In Border And Rural Regions With High Mobility.

   They Also Contributed To Intellectual And Religious Life: Some Of Their Scholars Taught At The Great Mosque, Held Important Religious Positions Such As Preacher, Mufti, And Judge, And Many Joined Widespread Sufi Orders Like The Rahmaniya, Which Provided A Spiritual And Social Refuge For These Migrants. Their Spiritual Leader, Sheikh Sidi Al-Bachir, Provided A Refuge In His Zawiyas (Religious Centers), Meeting The Zawawa’s Pressing Need For Social Integration And Fostering Both Social Cohesion And A Shared Islamic Identity With The Local Population.  Importantly, Not All Zawawa Were Involved In Military Service. Some Preserved Their Distinct Cultural Traditions And Integrated Socially By Marrying Into Local Families And Settling In Popular City Neighborhoods, They Established Local Solidarity Networks Bearing Zawawa Characteristics. This Social Interaction Helped Them Become A Deeply Rooted Part Of Tunisian Society, With Many Holding Administrative And Legal Positions. This Fostered Their Gradual Assimilation Into Official And Unofficial State Structures Of The State, Which Enabled Their Natural And Sustainable Assimilation Into The Societal Fabric. This Study Seeks Primarily To Highlight The Circumstances Surrounding The Zawawa's Presence In Tunisia, The Challenges They Faced, And How—Unlike Other Minorities—They Successfully Integrated Into Their New Social Environment. Their Patterns Of Social Practice, Military Participation As A Core Force In The Tunisian Army, As Well As Their Cultural And Religious Contributions, All Shaped Their Lasting Impact On Tunisian Society.  Through Social Integration, Available Documents And Sources, Analyzing Their Roles And The Nature Of Their Relationship With The Tunisian Authorities, And The Manifestations Of Their Influence In The Security, Religious, And Cultural Spheres. This Demonstrates Their Ability And Speed To Integrate, Their Contribution To Supporting And Stabilizing The State, And Their Superiority Over Other Minorities Due To Solidarity And Internal Organization.

Keywords: Zawawa, Tunisia, Sheikh Sidi Al-Bachir, Social Integration.