Â鶹ֱ²¥ Receives AFCP Grant for Ksar Douiret, Tunisia from U.S. Department of State
We are pleased to announce that Â鶹ֱ²¥ has received a $245,000 grant from the  for a heritage restoration and outreach project at the site of Ksar Douiret in Tataouine Governorate, Tunisia. Ksar Douiret is one of the most iconic fortified ksour of southern Tunisia. For at least a thousand years, it was a critical stopping point on a trans-Saharan trade route stretching from the Mediterranean to the Niger River valley. Compared to other ksar communities nearby, Douiret is characterized by an exceptionally large concentration of troglodyte homes and public structures carved into a particularly thick horizontal band of high-quality limestone. The ksar and village are in the Tataouine Governorate, and this iconic heritage is known to much of the world through the Star Wars movies. However, the importance of Amazigh culture and heritage has also been obscured by the Star Wars brand.
The condition of the access path and architecture on the upper level of the ksar. Photo Credit: Â鶹ֱ²¥.
Since the movement of the local community from the ancient ksar to the modern-day village of Douiret nearby, the important built heritage in the °ì²õ²¹°ùÌýhas deteriorated due to lack of regular maintenance. As part of a previous grant, Â鶹ֱ²¥ worked with the Douiret Women’s Collective in developing heritage awareness and documentation programs. This AFCP grant is a follow-on activity that will build upon and expand the previous work. As part of this award, Â鶹ֱ²¥ will partner with members of the Douiret Women’s Collective and the Tunisian Scouts to stabilize historic architecture, improve site access, and promote Amazigh (Berber) cultural heritage to Tunisian and international audiences. The project will run from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2026.
Members of the Tunisian Scouts visit Douiret. Photo Credit: Â鶹ֱ²¥.
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