Comments on: Djerba and their Historic Jewish Community http://www.cecisibony.com/2008/11/djerba-and-their-historic-jewish-community/ Through North Africa and the Middle East Mon, 30 Aug 2010 06:44:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Ceci http://www.cecisibony.com/2008/11/djerba-and-their-historic-jewish-community/comment-page-1/#comment-856 Ceci Sun, 07 Dec 2008 10:58:22 +0000 http://www.cecisibony.com/?p=82#comment-856 Lyd, As usual, your question demonstrates a true understanding of my situation here. Not only in Djerba and Tunisia, but even in Morocco, people are usually completely shocked to hear of my travels and research for the year. The first question is usually, "why didn't you bring a friend with you?" which is usually followed by some expression of concern or worry for my well-being. In Tunisia, and particularly Djerba, the reactions were generally less a concern for my safety and more an expression of disapproval, as I heard more than once, "I would never let my daughter/sister do this." I also had plenty of conversations with Djerban Jews about my lack of interest in marriage and the "over-ripe" age of 22 and their lack of understanding for my preference to marry in my late 20s early 30s. I learned, however, that taking these conversations personally or transforming them into arguments is futile; different cultures have different values, assumptions, and expectations and as I hope people will respect and avoid changing my "cultural" mind, I afford them the same respect. I hope this answered your question. Thanks for keeping up-to-date, and I'm glad you like my research! Ceci Lyd,

As usual, your question demonstrates a true understanding of my situation here. Not only in Djerba and Tunisia, but even in Morocco, people are usually completely shocked to hear of my travels and research for the year. The first question is usually, “why didn’t you bring a friend with you?” which is usually followed by some expression of concern or worry for my well-being. In Tunisia, and particularly Djerba, the reactions were generally less a concern for my safety and more an expression of disapproval, as I heard more than once, “I would never let my daughter/sister do this.” I also had plenty of conversations with Djerban Jews about my lack of interest in marriage and the “over-ripe” age of 22 and their lack of understanding for my preference to marry in my late 20s early 30s. I learned, however, that taking these conversations personally or transforming them into arguments is futile; different cultures have different values, assumptions, and expectations and as I hope people will respect and avoid changing my “cultural” mind, I afford them the same respect.

I hope this answered your question. Thanks for keeping up-to-date, and I’m glad you like my research!

Ceci

]]> By: Lydia http://www.cecisibony.com/2008/11/djerba-and-their-historic-jewish-community/comment-page-1/#comment-810 Lydia Sun, 30 Nov 2008 23:40:42 +0000 http://www.cecisibony.com/?p=82#comment-810 You mentioned that as an outsider you were not treated very well and some women and children gave you dirty looks. How did these communities react to the fact that you are exhibiting a role for women that does not exist in their culture? I am curious as to how the families you met with react to the fact that you are a 22yr old, educated, young, unmarried woman traveling by yourself. Also, you're research is getting more and more interesting, it is amazing what you are doing. You mentioned that as an outsider you were not treated very well and some women and children gave you dirty looks. How did these communities react to the fact that you are exhibiting a role for women that does not exist in their culture? I am curious as to how the families you met with react to the fact that you are a 22yr old, educated, young, unmarried woman traveling by yourself.

Also, you’re research is getting more and more interesting, it is amazing what you are doing.

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