The Bandiyya Phenomenon in Tunisia: Prison Chants and Stories from the Urban Underworld

Haikel Hazgui  |  Creative and Critical Writings  |  2022  |  Tunisia
A book that explores the phenomenon of urban manhood and Al Bandiyya (an Arabic localization of the French bandit) in Tunisia and its history, following its traces through oral memory, daily life stories, and traditional mezwed songs and prison chants. The book aims to present a visual narrative linked to the history of the city and prisons, as well as conflicts in the public space and their role in forging an urban mythology that shaped a popular heroism that counters the official narrative.