D.006 Sidi Sahib Zawiya-Madrasa Complex

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Creator

Denis Baly

Creation Year

January 1963

Image ID

D.006

Alternate Identifier

B04.006

Subcollection

D: North Africa

Abstract

A view of the courtyard preceding the domed tomb chamber in the mausoleum. The courtyard is "reserved for devotions ... [and] is surrounded by porticoes. The walls are covered with enamel polychrome tiles and the upper parts have very finely carved stucco panels." -MA

Description

The Sidi Sahib complex is named after and "built in memory of a companion of the Prophet, Abu Zama'a al-Balawi, who died in combat in the year AH 34 (AD 654)." Abu Zama'a, whose mausoleum lies within the complex, was "known affectionately as Sidi Sahbi and considered to be the patron of the town ... His mausoleum is the one most visited by the Tunisians, who flock there during the Festival of Mulud to commemorate the birth of the Prophet." In this picture, we can see the northwestern corner of the courtyard that precedes the entrance to the mausoleum and its elegant Hispano-Moorish minaret. -MA

References

Zangar, Saloua. "Sidi Sahib Zawiya and Madrasa" in Discover Islamic Art, Museum With No Frontiers, 2017. 2017. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=monument;ISL;tn;Mon01;10;en

Image Notes

Photograph created April 1963. Photograph processed September 1963. Formerly cataloged as B.04.006. Notes written on the slide or index: Kairouan Sidi Sahab.

Curator Notes

Legacy Subcollection: "D: Kairouan"

Image Format

35 mm slide

Geographic Reference

Kairouan, Tunisia