Abana and Tajlila are blankets of natural wool, much valued by Tunisians, woven by the master artisans of “Jeraba” in Kairouan. These blankets have multiple uses; they can be used as bed spreads, or even hung on the wall as decoration for festivals. Before winter (“Tasbine”), they are washed and laid to dry on rooftops.

The Abana is thicker than the Tajlila, and manually woven from natural wool. The dimensions are 8- 12 “dhraa” x 2,20 m = 4 – 6 , x 2,20 m. “Dhraa” literally means “elbow.” The Abana can also be of the “sbouiaa” dimension, or 7 “dhraa” x 2,20 m.

The Tajlila is made the same way as the Abana, but is smaller: 6 “dhraa” x 2,20 m = 3 m x 2,20 m “touzri.” It can be woven in either wool or cotton, but always using nylon thread. Dimensions are 2,50 m x 1,80 m.

Mohamed Rebai
info@kairouan.org