Of Wings and Footprints

A Jewish childhood in the Medina of Tunis, as depicted by Haddad (2023), reveals a fluid cultural identity shaped by shared Mediterranean experiences. The study highlights the seamless integration of Jewish and Muslim communities through language, cuisine, and daily life, challenging notions of rooted religious identity. Using personal narrative and sensory observations—ochre earth, azure sea, fragrant air, and fierce sun—the text illustrates how environmental and social elements transcend religious boundaries. The research approach combines memoir-style storytelling with ethnographic detail, capturing the continuity of Mediterranean culture across the Hara (Jewish quarter) and La Goulette. Key insights include the blurred lines between Jewish and Muslim traditions in Tunisia, emphasizing a shared heritage rooted in place rather than faith.

Haddad, H. (2023). Of Wings and Footprints. A Jewish Childhood in the Muslim Mediterranean, 93–99. https://doi.org/10.1525/9780520393400-022