The island of Djerba, or Jerba, is the largest island of North Africa and has a population of over 165,000 people. Its population consists of Arab and Berber, and a mix of black African, Turkish, and Maltese origin. The center and southeast parts of Djerba are among the rare areas of Tunisia where the Berber language is spoken, although it is highly mixed with Arabic vocabulary.
Djerba is also home to one of the few remaining Jewish communities in North Africa. The El Ghriba synagogue located in Erriadh. Many Tunisian Jews travel to this synagogue for an annual pilgrimage during the holiday of Lag BaOmer, which takes place 33 days after the beginning of the Passover celebration.
Also in Erriadh is the famous Djerbahood project featuring artists from all around the world. In 2014, around a hundred artists from thirty different nationalities transformed the traditional town of Erriadh into a massive public street art exhibition.
Guellala is a small village located on the southern Djerba coast which is renowned for its traditional pottery. You will find many pottery workshops lining the main street with pots artistically embedded into the building to attract tourists. Once inside the workshops, you will find an assortment of potteries for sale at very affordable prices. The unique Berber designs are unique among the potteries in Guellala. Some pottery workshops will even host a free demonstration of pottery making and explain the process of turning a lump of clay into a final product. There is also a Guellala Museum that is worth exploring to learn about the rich history and unique culture of Djerba.
If you are interested in visiting Djerba Island, our travel experts are happy to assist you to plan an unforgettable Tunisia tour.