From Slavery in Tunisia to its Abolition and Contemporary Manifestations
The Tunisian Academy of Sciences, Letters, and Arts "Beit Al-Hikma" is organizing an intellectual colloquium on December 11 and 12, 2025, under the title "From Slavery in Tunisia to its Abolition and Contemporary Manifestations". The event aims to address the history and current state of slavery in Tunisia from a scientific perspective, ranging from historical to cultural aspects.
Colloquium Overview
The colloquium will consist of four scientific sessions featuring interventions in Arabic and French. The sessions will cover the following topics:
- The first session will focus on the history of the presence of black Africans in Tunisia.
- The second session will analyze the origins of the decree abolishing slavery issued by Ahmad Bey.
- The third session will explore slavery in Tunisia between legal abolition and social practices.
- The fourth session will discuss contemporary manifestations of slavery in the country.
Key Discussion Topics
Some of the main topics to be discussed include:
- "Black-skinned people in North Africa and Europe during prehistory: between Eurocentric readings and archaeological data"
- "The preparatory reflection on the construction of the historical path leading to the decision to abolish slavery in Tunisia: through the influence of Ahmed Bernaz (1664-1726) in I'lam al-Ayan"
- "The abolition of slavery in Tunisia between the justification of the sovereign and scholarly legitimation"
- "The abolition of slavery in Tunisia between law and practice (1864-1890)"
- "The liberation of slaves in oases and its impact on society and economy during the second half of the 19th century: the Kébili oasis as a model" A session will also be dedicated to musical history with an intervention titled "Stambali music: from the legacy of slavery to Tunisian identity".
Expert Panel
The forum will be moderated by experts in history and civilization, including:
- Mohamed Ben Ramadan
- Tawfiq Ben Amar
- Jaafar Bel Nasser
- Marwa Mernawi
- Hayet Majri
- Hichem Ben Amar
- Saleh Trabelsi
- Mansour Abdeljelil
- Yamina Aouni
- Leïla Zghdoud
- Ines Rkika
- Anis Ben Amar
- Rabah Arqoubi
Conclusion
The event offers a unique platform to explore the historical, social, cultural, and musical dimensions of slavery in Tunisia and its memory in contemporary society.
