As Ramadan approaches in Tunisia, the tradition of polishing copper kitchen utensils to prepare for the holy month is alive in the ancient city of Kairouan, a hub renowned for its centuries-old copper craft. However, this long-standing tradition, which sees families gathering for pre-dawn and post-dusk meals, is now under threat due to a range of challenges facing the artisans who have kept the craft alive for generations.
Mohamed Zaremdini, a copper craftsman who has worked in Kairouan for 15 years, explains that the popularity of copper kitchenware has remained strong, particularly before Ramadan. “Copper is a healthier material compared to other metals, and people want to beautify their kitchens, especially for Ramadan,” he says. Customers from across Tunisia, including the capital Tunis, seek out the finely crafted copperware in Kairouan, which is known for its high-quality work. Zaremdini emphasizes that, in Kairouan, there are only a few artisans who still produce genuine copper items, in contrast to merchants elsewhere selling counterfeit products.
Kairouan, founded in 670, has been the heart of Tunisia’s copper trade, with skills passed down through generations. Yet, despite the cultural significance of copper in Tunisian homes, artisans like Zaremdini and others are struggling to keep their craft alive. In particular, competition from cheaper Chinese imports is increasingly encroaching on the market, making it difficult for local craftsmen to survive financially. This competition, combined with the high cost of copper and labor-intensive techniques, has left many artisans grappling with slim margins.
For some families, however, the tradition of using copper cookware during Ramadan remains an important cultural practice. Fathi Andellaoui, a customer from Kairouan, shares, “At Ramadan every year, we take out the copper pots. It’s part of the heritage passed down through generations in our family.” This sense of tradition has driven families to continue supporting the local copper artisans, but such support is not enough to ensure the craft’s survival in the face of modern challenges.
Rami Chaabani, a third-generation copper artisan, is feeling the weight of these difficulties firsthand. He describes his daily grind: “We wake up at 2 in the morning. Yesterday, I arrived at 3 AM and I’m still working. At the end of the day, I barely earn 40, 50, or 60 dinars ($30). We don’t make much, and the challenges are getting harder.” Despite his deep commitment to the craft, Chaabani fears that the future of copper smithing in Kairouan is uncertain. “If things continue as they are, we may not have any coppersmiths left in four or five years,” he warns.
Chaabani, who has dedicated his life to the craft, hopes that the Tunisian government will recognize the importance of preserving this traditional art form. “I could teach a young person the craft,” he says. “But if the situation doesn’t improve, the knowledge and skills of our ancestors will be lost.”
For the artisans of Kairouan, the once thriving business of copper crafting, particularly in the lead-up to Ramadan, is no longer a guaranteed source of income. With mounting pressures from global competition and economic constraints, the future of Tunisia’s copper craft remains in jeopardy. As Ramadan arrives, the copper artisans of Kairouan hope their work, a key part of Tunisian cultural heritage, will find new ways to thrive in an increasingly globalized marketplace.
