All about Tunisia, Africa By: Katelyn Schneider Book Report Part 2 Setting

Benny and Omar By: Eoin Colfer Benny and Omar’s setting is in Tunisia, Africa, where Benny’s dad is transferred for a year due to his Euro Gas job. Benny hates everything at first, but then discovers Tunisia can be really fun and exciting. There are some similarities and lots of differences in our way of life from theirs.

People Life expectancy at birth: Male years Female years Population: 10,486,339 Ethnic Groups: Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and Other 1% Religion: Muslim 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish and Other 1% Language: Arabic and French School Life Expectancy: Male- 13 years Female- 14 years

Customs and Culture Some Tunisians visit holy men’s graves for aid. Most believe in evil spirits called Jinn. You battle the Jinn's using amulets that have verses of the Holy Koran on them. Another charm they wear is “The Right Hand of Fatima”. Tunisian women have maximum freedom compared to other women in Islamic States. Tunisian women have equal legal power to men with child custody, inheritance, divorce, and property ownership.

Holidays January 1- New Years Day January 10- Hegire (Islamic New Year) March 20-Independence Day and Mouled (Prophets’ Anniversary) March 21- Youth Day April 9- Martyrs’ Day May 1- Labour Day July 25- Republic Day August 13- Women’s Day October 2- Eid-ul-Fitr (End of Ramadan) November 7- New Era Day December 9- Eid-ul-Idha December 29- Hegire (Islamic New Year)

Sports and Outdoors Horse Festivals JulyMcKnassy/Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia Coralis Diving Festival Sept.Tabarka Sahara Douz Fesival Nov.Douz, Tunisia Diving in Djerba DailyDjerba Chott El Djerid DailyChott El Djerid

Foods Smells like a very hot, spicy cuisine, mainly influenced by Mediterranean cuisine. Prepared in olive oil Tunisians love food with unique wines and sauces. National dish – “Couscous” – usually served with poultry, lamb, vegetables, or fish, steamed with sauce covering it. Baklava – popular pastry Tunisian desserts are often sweet pastries, fresh fruits, and custards

Clothing Influenced with western style of clothing, but traditional dresses are still worn in villages, mostly by elderly. Traditional Tunisian dress for women is a “sifsari” – outer garment with loose folds and head covering worn over western outfits. Women ear “mellia” in rural areas, falls across head and shoulders. Men wear “chehia” – head dress made of red and brown felt, round or flat on top. Some ment wear baggy pants and “jalabiyya” – a long dress like garment.

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