Day in Toujane (Visiting the Amazigh Mountain Village)

_{Me between the narrow stone alleys of Toujane, surrounded by old Amazigh houses.}

Hello Steemians,

Today I share a long, slow day in Toujane an Amazigh (Berber) mountain village that feels like a living museum. I climbed the village from the bottom to the top, moving through steep stairways, narrow alleys, rock houses and wooden doors. Every turn revealed a small scene of daily life, memory, and hospitality.

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Getting There & First Impressions

The road up to Toujane winds through arid hills and small fields. When you first arrive at the lower edge, the village sits like a cluster of stone and wood glued to the slope compact, patient, and slightly secretive. From below you can already see the long stairways that knit the houses together.

_{The long stairways of Toujane each step opens to new corners and views.}

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Climbing the Long Stairs A Walk Through Time

Walking up the stairs feels like turning pages in a very old book. The alleys are narrow, sometimes only wide enough for one person, the walls are stones patched by generations, wooden doors show simple carved details and faded paint. Some houses look like small museums empty, preserved, and full of relics while others are alive and inhabited.

_{Narrow stone alleys between old houses a climb through time and memory.}

_{Old doors and windows with faded paint, silent witnesses of village history.}

_{Traces of old houses, stones and walls holding layers of memory.}

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Aunt Fatima’s House Warm Welcome & Kitchen Life

At one stop, Aunt Fatima an elderly local woman invited me into her small home. Her traditional Amazigh clothes, the simple corridor, and the smell of cooking felt deeply authentic. She served chakchouka and fresh bread, then let me into the kitchen where clay pots and tall jars store provisions. Inside the house, an old stone grain mill sat like a relic of everyday life.

_{Aunt Fatima in her traditional Amazigh clothes.}

_{The traditional wooden door of Aunt Fatima’s house in Toujane.}

_{The narrow corridor inside Aunt Fatima’s house simple yet full of Amazigh charm.}

_{Homemade chakchouka and bread hospitality served simply and honestly.}

_{Clay pots and large provisioning jars the kitchen equipment that keeps village life going.}

_{An old stone grain mill work and food traditions carved out of rock.}

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Tea, Kilims & Quiet Rooms

After food, I was offered Amazigh tea in a small glass mug sweet, calming, and a ritual of its own. I rested in a simple lower room furnished with a kilim woven from sheep wool. The quiet, the fabric’s patterns, and the sun hitting the stones made the moment feel timeless.

_{Traditional Amazigh tea served in a tiny glass a small ceremony that connects visitors to home life.}

_{A simple room with a wool kilim a restful pause in village life.}

_{Me sitting at the bottom, enjoying the calm of this Amazigh interior.}

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Another Amazigh House Tools, Traditions & Chachia

In another traditional house, I discovered many old objects clay pots, farming tools, and daily essentials that spoke of a self-sufficient life.

_{Me at the front and inside the house, standing in the main room, surrounded by traditional Amazigh décor.}

_{Old clay pots and farming tools inside the Amazigh house}

_{A wool kilim and cover, handwoven from sheep’s wool, traditional patterns and textures of Toujane.}

Inside one of the simple rooms, I paused to rest and was invited to try on a traditional Chachia (red wool cap), a symbol of Amazigh heritage.

_{Wearing the traditional Chachia inside the Amazigh home}

This moment of immersion, surrounded by history and culture, made me feel deeply connected to Toujane spirit.

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Pauses on the Stairs Watching Doors & Sunlight

The climb is tiring, I paused often on the stairs. Those pauses are part of the experience watching doors, hearing distant voices, seeing laundry, and feeling the warmth of stone. These quiet observations are sometimes more revealing than any tourist viewpoint.

_{A quiet pause on the steps watching village life move at its own pace.}

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Sunset from the High Wall A Rewarding Finale

At the top, I found a high wall and watched the sunset. The village stones glowed orange, the valley below looked endless. After a long day of climbing and gentle encounters, the sunset felt like a reward.

_{Me climbing to the highest point of Toujane, waiting for the sunset.}

_{Me with the sunset behind me ending the day at the top.}

_{View of the sunset from the heights of Toujane.}

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Practical Tips & Visitor Info Toujane (Amazigh Village)

Location
Toujane an Amazigh mountain village in the Gabes region of southern Tunisia.

Getting there:

Location	Toujane, Southern Tunisia
Plus Code (Google)	F48J+9XQ Toujane
Google Maps	https://maps.app.goo.gl/BaJb265vnmosqVor9
Atlas Pin Code	[//]:# (!steematlas 33.46617454 lat 10.132227 long Toujane (Amazigh Mountain Village) d3scr)
By Car	Drive from Matmata or Gabes using local mountain roads. Expect narrow, winding roads as you approach the village. A small amount of parking is available at the village entry.
By Public Transport	Limited service best to arrange a shared taxi from Matmata or local transfers from Gabes. Ask locally about schedules.
Tips	Wear comfortable shoes (good grip), bring water, and a hat for sun protection. The stairs are steep take your time.

Hours & Price
The village is open to visitors, there is no gate or entrance fee. If you are invited into a home, a small gift (dates, nuts, or tea) is appreciated but not required.

Safety & Etiquette

• Ask perAuntion before entering private homes accept invitations with respect.
• Many houses are fragile avoid climbing on old walls or roofs.
• Ask before photographing people (especially close portraits).
• Keep noise low in residential areas and treat the place gently.

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Final Thoughts & What’s Next

Toujane surprised me by its layers history in stone, hospitality in small gestures, and a quiet, stubborn life that resists fast modern change. Climbing from the bottom to the top, eating home-cooked chakchouka, sipping Amazigh tea, and watching the sunset from the high wall made this day unforgettable.

In the next post, I will share Day in Old Matmata exploring the troglodyte houses carved into the ground and the unique rocky landscapes nearby.

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Best Regards,
@marwene

_{Photo Credits: All photos in this post were taken by me, @marwene.}