9th Edition of the Kharja du Mouled Set for Thursday, 4 September 2025
The Association of Stambali Culture of Tunisia “Sidi Ali Lasmar” announced on Monday that the 9th edition of the Kharja du Mouled will take place on Thursday, 4 September 2025, as part of the festivities surrounding the Mouled.
Participants
-
Stambali troupes from:
- Tunis
- Nefta
- Tozeur
- Gabès
- Sousse
- Kairouan
- Om Laraiess
- Métlaoui
- Sfax
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Guest of honour from Algeria: Diwan Baba Merzouk
“A step forward to give this event a truly Maghreb‑wide, mystical dimension.”
Geographic Scope & Cultural Richness
President of the association Riadh Zaouch highlighted during a press conference in the Medina of Tunis that this edition stands out for its broad geographic reach and the cultural depth of its programme.
Schedule & Route
- 09:00 h – The procession starts at the Zaouïa of Sidi Mahrez.
- It will wind through the streets of the Medina until reaching the Zaouïa of Sidi Ben Arous.
The route is designed as a Sufi‑artistic pilgrimage, punctuated by musical performances from the Stambali troupes to celebrate the Mouled.
What the troupes will present
- Performances in public spaces linked to each Zaouïa.
- Rituals, customs, and musical pieces that reflect Sufi spirituality and memory, such as:
- Assida du Mouled (traditional chant)
- Dhikr processions (chanting of divine names)
- Spiritual music
Historical Roots
Zaouch explained that the Kharja Mouldia revives a historic tradition dating back to the abolition of slavery in Tunisia on 23 January 1846.
- On that day, the “Free Blacks” organised a grand Sufi celebration on the occasion of the Mouled.
- The practice continued for decades before fading after independence.
- Revived in 2016, the celebration is now in its ninth edition.
“Through this celebration, the association seeks to resurrect the cultural and musical heritage rooted in the Medina, especially the art of Stambali, which fuses African and Sufi dimensions of Tunisian music.”
Tourist & Cultural Impact
Anis Boukhris, Regional Commissioner for Culture and Handicrafts, stressed the event’s importance for cultural tourism.
- He urged the development of the festival into a Mediterranean‑wide showcase.
- The event coincides with the arrival on Thursday of two cruise ships, offering foreign tourists a chance to experience Tunisia’s living Sufi heritage in the heart of the capital.
Boukhris called for logistical and financial support from both public institutions and the private sector, asserting that Tunisia has the assets to turn Kharja Mouldia into a global cultural‑tourist platform.
Documentation & Preservation of Memory
Researcher‑artist Brahim Bahloul, a specialist in Sufi music, highlighted the need to document these events as popular memory sources.
- He criticised the lack of involvement from institutions such as the Higher Institute of Documentation and the National Documentation Centre.
- Bahloul urged the institutionalisation of the festival so it can be recognised as a national holiday celebrated across all governorates.
The Stambali Art Form
- Considered one of the oldest Sufi music styles in Tunisia.
- Its melodic and rhythmic structure draws from African and Maghreb heritage.
- Preservation is essential to prevent dispersion; this requires support for artists and scholars dedicated to the art.
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For further information, please contact the Association of Stambali Culture “Sidi Ali Lasmar” or the Regional Commission for Culture and Handicrafts.
