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Bouchnak, 37, took over the family business started by his grandfather and is the only craftsman in Tunisia - and one of a few in the region - to continue to make pipes by hand. AFP
Dying artform: Lone Tunisian still crafting pipes from briarwood
Mon, 15 February 2021
Bent over a century-old machine, Tunisia’s sole artisan pipe-maker Anis Bouchnak carves smoking pipes from native briarwood, a craft passed down by his grandfather and father.
“I am proud to be the only pipe-maker in Tunisia,” said the craftsman, his hands roughened from his trade.
“But frankly, I would have liked to have competition, because this would have motivated me to progress.”
Meet The Only Pipe-Maker in Tunisia! Published February 11th, 2021 - 12:37 GMT
Anis Bouchnak tries a briar wood pipe that he made at his workshop in the northwestern Tunisian coastal town of Tabarka, on January 28, 2021. Bouchnak, 37, who in 2011 took over the family business started by his grandfather, is the only craftsman in Tunisia, and one of the few in the region, to continue to make pipes by hand. FETHI BELAID / AFP
Highlights
Now, Bouchnak makes pipes in his own original style while not sacrificing functionality.
Bent over a century-old machine, Tunisia’s sole artisan pipe-maker Anis Bouchnak carves smoking pipes from native briar wood, a craft passed down by his grandfather and father.
Bent over a century-old machine, Tunisia’s sole artisan pipe maker, Anis Bouchnak, carves smoking pipes from native briar wood, a craft passed down by his grandfather and father.
“I am proud to be the only pipe maker in Tunisia,” said the craftsman, his hands roughened from his trade. “But frankly, I would have liked to have competition, because this would have motivated me to progress.”
The Bouchnak family workshop was established half a century ago in Tabarka, a northwestern tourist town nestled in verdant hills that plunge toward the Mediterranean Sea.
In 1968, Anis’ grandfather, Chedly Bouchnak, traveled to Switzerland and brought back
Bent over a century-old machine, Tunisia's sole artisan pipe-maker Anis Bouchnak carves smoking pipes from native briar wood, a craft passed down by his grandfather and father.