"Tunis in Ramadan" by Kayley Ronnkvist
The month of Ramadan brings changes to daily life in Tunis, which meant a significant change in my pace of life as an EdAbroad student here in Tunis.
For the month of Ramadan, the workday for all Tunisians ends at 2 pm to allow those fasting time to rest in the afternoons. As a result, every day at 2 pm there is horrendous traffic, so exercise caution when trying to go anywhere around that time. There is also limited public transportation after this time, so plan accordingly!
Given the shorter workday, it’s common for people to sleep during the day and stay out later. Most casual meetings and events shift to taking place after sundown and last well into the night. Unfortunately, EdAbroad classes still take place at their typical hours, whether that be 8 am or 4 pm.
Almost all stores close by 5 pm to allow employees time to prepare for Iftar. Some reopen following Iftar, but most remain closed until the morning.
Most restaurants and cafes are closed during the day throughout Ramadan. The few that remain open seldom advertise that and cover all windows with curtains and newspapers, so it’s up to word of mouth to discover places that are open. Even those open during the day typically close by 3 pm.
For those not fasting, it’s generally frowned upon to eat, drink, and smoke in public during the day, which can make it difficult to find locations to eat during the day.
Iftar meals typically consist of traditional Tunisian food - dates, soup, brik, salad mechoia, ojja, couscous, kafteji, and various pastries. So many opportunities to try traditional Tunisian foods with host families and friends!
Kayley Ronnkvist was a participant on Amideast’s Regional Studies in French program which took place in Tunis, Tunisia in spring 2022.
