Sufism in Rural Tunisia: A Socio-Cultural Approach to Sufi Singing among “Ouled Salah” in the Regueb Region

Abstract

Music has always been an integral part of the spiritual experience in Islamic societies, closely tied to religious practices and Sufi rituals through chanting and collective performances accompanied by instruments. Sufism stands out as one of the phenomena that employed music to attain spiritual purity and closeness to God, evolving from individual practices into collective orders with their own rituals and zawiyas (Sufi lodges). In Tunisia, Sufism found a strong resonance, particularly in rural areas, where zawiyas serve as spiritual and cultural sanctuaries. The diversity of civilizations has enriched the Sufi musical heritage, which has been transmitted orally across generations. The Qadiriyya hadra (Sufi gathering) among “Ouled Salah” represents a living example of this artistic and spiritual accumulation, reflecting profound social and cultural dimensions. This study aims to explore the historical and social contexts of this tradition’s emergence and to analyze its socio-cultural meanings within its practiced framework.