What’s in a Name? How the Legacy of Slavery Endures in Tunisia

The Guardian ^ | 11/7 | Simon Speakman Cordall in Tunis

[nickcarraway]

Black people in the north African country suffer hardship and disadvantage, and many still carry the label of ‘liberated’ slaves

Many within Tunisia greeted the news that 81-year-old Hamden Dali had won his two decade-long campaign to have “atig” removed from his name with little more than bemusement.

But for Dali atig – meaning “liberated by” – in his name was a painful reminder of his family’s heritage as former slaves.

Dali, who lives on the island of Djerba, does not have a telephone. However, his lawyer, Hanen Ben Hassana, from the mainland city of Sfax, was clear: “You have to think of what could possibly make an 80-year-old man insist on pursuing his case despite all the hardships, including the spread of the virus,” she says. “Just think of that. Then you’ll realise the kind of history he’s been carrying on his back for a great part of his life.”

Tunisia was the first Arab country to abolish slavery, outlawing the practice in 1846, 19 years before the US. However, though the initial edict was quickly adopted in the urban north, it was some time before slavery was abolished entirely, with a further proclamation required in 1890.

Today, between 10 and 15% of Tunisians are black, many descended from slaves. What few can dispute is the relative lack of black Tunisians in politics or the media. According to a 2018 Afrobarometer survey, black Tunisians reported a variety of disadvantages, the most important of which was unemployment, at about 42%, compared with 25% nationally.

[Seruzawa]

No Blacks in Tunisian govt? Can’t be. Only Anglos can be racists.

[JerryBlackwell]

Slaves in Tunisia? How did the evil white men in America manage to get slavery all the way across the ocean and enslave blacks in Tunisia?

[AZJeep]

Actually many Tunisians are descendants of White slaves. Kidnaped during centuries from all over mediterranean.
I am not sure how are those treated?