The region of the Tunisian Sahel, rich with a generous nature and the labour of its inhabitants, very soon developed craft activities that added substantially to the resources earned from the land or the sea especially with the production of luxury items that also were a means of holding savings. Thus, the art of weaving, in particular of silk, and that of precious metals were for centuries at the top of the scale with respect to pottery or woodwork. All this is reflected in the museum of popular arts and traditions in Monastir, where, however, the traditional costume, in particular that of women, occupies a choice place.

In traditional society, indeed, the bride’s trousseau (costumes, adornmentsm, woven domestic items, copper objects..) was seen as a “capital” to insure against hard times. So, in terms of quantity as well as quality, families endeavoured to provide their daughters with trousseaus of value : a large number of articles of clothing (by the dozen for light pieces) and, for ceremonial dress, very elaborate decoration, always embroidered with gold or silver thread, not to mention the jewellery.

All this wealth is displayed in the Monastir museum of popular arts and traditions.