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Sufi Procession In Tunisia

A devotee from a Sufi order in traditional Tunisian dress is representing the city's patron saint on horseback and leading the annual procession of Sidi Bou Said in Ariana, Tunisia, on August 11, 2024. The annual procession (Arab: Kharja) known as the Ascension (Arab: Talaa) of Sidi Bou Said is beginning early in the morning in the town of Ariana (a suburb of Tunis) at the mausoleum (Arab: Zaouia) of Sidi Ammar al-Makhloufi (known as the town's saint, who fought against the crusade led by King Louis IX in 1270 AD), where the Sheikhs (an Arabic title of honour given to long-standing spiritual leaders) and the devotees (also called followers) from a Sufi order are reciting some suras from the holy book of Islam, the Koran (Qur'an), in the presence of local residents. They are then taking part in a procession through the streets of the old city. The procession is being led by a man representing the city's patron saint (Sidi Ammar al-Makhloufi) on horseback and by the Sheikhs, all followed by the devotees and a large crowd of local residents. The women with their young children are following the men at the back of the procession. The most special and spectacular part of the procession is when the Sufi devotees are entering a state of trance to the rhythm of the dance and spiritual chants. The Sheikhs and the Sufi faithful are then traveling to the coastal town of Sidi Bou Said (a suburb of Tunis). At the end of the afternoon, they are meeting devotees and Sheikhs from the Sufi order of the mausoleum of Sidi Bou Said el-Beji (the town's saint), who are greeting them with spiritual songs, before they join a large crowd in a festive procession to the town's mausoleum. (Photo by Chedly Ben Ibrahim/NurPhoto)

Photo Details

Photo ID	#11489086
Date Taken	11 August 2024
Location	N/A
Photographer	Chedly Ben Ibrahim/NurPhoto
Category	Religion and Belief
Copyright	© 2026 NurPhoto - Chedly Ben Ibrahim/NurPhoto

Related Keywords

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