A Timeless Oasis in the Heart of Siliana
In a quiet corner of the Jasmine neighborhood in Siliana, a modest house stands as a testament to a bygone era. Behind its walls lies a small museum where the scent of amber and incense fills the air, and every object tells a story of the past. Here, the past comes alive through carefully preserved details, a testament to a heritage that its owner, Mariem Ben Kacem, refuses to see disappear.
A Passion for Tradition and Heritage
At the heart of this unique project is Mariem Ben Kacem, a 37-year-old woman passionate about traditions and deeply attached to Tunisian cultural heritage. Driven by a desire to preserve the remnants of a bygone era, she has transformed her home into a true treasure trove of memories, open to present and future generations to share a threatened heritage threatened by forgetfulness and the uniformity of modern life.
A Journey Through Time
As soon as you step inside, you are transported to a bygone era. Copper utensils, polished by the years, hang on the walls, while traditional mattresses, pottery, ancient lamps, antique jewelry, and handmade furniture occupy the various rooms of the house. Each nook and cranny evokes the habits, customs, and daily life of past generations, offering an authentic immersion in Tunisian popular history.
A Collection of Memories
Mariem stands out for her uncommon passion: collecting antique objects to preserve the memories of her ancestors. Her collection brings together a multitude of patrimonial pieces reflecting the richness of local cultures and the diversity of regional traditions. More than just a collection of objects, her museum is a living space where heritage becomes a story accessible to all.
A Story of Love and Heritage
In an interview with a journalist from the Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP) agency, Mariem explains that this adventure began after her father's passing, a year ago. She confides that she found in traditional objects a way to keep alive the emotional bond she shared with him. Her attachment to heritage has also been nourished by her university studies in product design, which allowed her to develop an artistic eye for antique objects and their cultural value.
Reviving the Past
But Mariem doesn't just collect and exhibit. She also gives new life to some of the past's forgotten objects through a creative approach that blends tradition and modernity. The "Kardach," an ancient tool used to card wool, becomes a decorative frame, while the "Babor," once used as a lamp or heating device, is transformed into an elegant handmade lantern. Through these creations, Mariem reinvents heritage without distorting it, infusing a second life into forgotten objects.
A Dream of Sharing Heritage
Her ambition doesn't stop there. She dreams of continuing to enrich her collection and participating in local, regional, and national exhibitions to showcase this heritage to a wider audience. For her, each preserved piece represents a part of family and national history that must be transmitted to new generations.
Preserving Traditional Knowledge
Parallel to her conservation work, Mariem also perpetuates the traditional art of amber fabrication. In her makeshift workshop, she grinds the components of this precious material and mixes them with natural aromatic essences to create handmade jewelry and other artisanal objects. She hopes to transmit this knowledge to her children, grandchildren, and all women interested in pursuing this craft.
A Free Initiative
In this perspective, she offers to train women for free in amber fabrication, convinced that preserving heritage also involves transmitting artisanal knowledge. She also hopes to sensitize students in schools to strengthen the link between young people and their cultural roots and collective memory.
A Timeless Oasis
Through this initiative born of passion and fidelity to traditions, Mariem Ben Kacem offers more than just a domestic museum. She turns her house into a refuge for memories, a bridge between generations, and a vibrant tribute to Tunisian cultural identity.
