Souk El Bechmak
Souk El Bechmak or souk El Bshamkiyya (Arabic: سوق البشمق) is a former souk of the medina of Tunis, specialized in bechmak (Turkish slippers) trading.
History
![](../I/m/Ziad_1920.jpg)
The souk was constructed by Yusuf Dey at the same time as his own mosque. It is part of his complex with different building having commercial and religious functions.[1]
With the disappearance of qadis (judges) and mudarris (teachers), the corporation of bechmak craftsmen is dissolved and so did the craft, and its souk.[2]
Location
![](../I/m/Tunis_Souk_des_Coordonniers.jpg)
The souk is located near the crossing of the Sidi Ben Ziad Street and Souk El Bey. It surrounds the Youssef Dey Mosque from three sides: east, north and west. Some of its shops are placed within the platform holding the mosque.[1]
Nowadays, shops formerly located on the side of Dar El Bey are attached to this monument, and those located under the platform are reallocated to other uses, such as a branch of the Société Tunisienne de Banque.[2]
Products
With the arrival of the Turks in Tunisia, Turkish clothing style was introduced. Bechmak (pashmak in Turkish) were new shoe ou slipper styles worn by Turks.[1]
The yellow bechmak were worn by men, especially judges of the Hanafi Sunni islamic school, while women wore them in various colors.[1]
Notes and references
- This article incorporates information from the equivalent article on the French Wikipedia.
- 1 2 3 4 Ahmed Saadaoui (2010). Tunis, ville ottomane : trois siècles d'urbanisme et d'architecture (in French). Tunis: Centre de publication universitaire. p. 28-30. ISBN 978-9973-37-023-5.
- 1 2 Archives de l'Association de sauvegarde de la médina de Tunis (1982). Étude analytique des espaces de production et d'échange dans la médina de Tunis (in French). Tunis: Association de sauvegarde de la médina de Tunis. p. 18-19.