The first Tunisian diplomat in Malta

[Maltese travelogue]. Zain, Tayeb al- (attrib.). [Record of a journey from Tunisia to Malta].

€ 8.500,00

A unique, previously unknown first-person account of a Tunisian diplomat's sea journey to Malta in early 1810.

The manuscript, written in Saj' (rhymed prose), details the voyage of the author as a companion of Mahmoud Djellouli (1755-1839 CE), the Tunisian regency's newly-appointed ambassador and commercial and political representative to Malta during the rule of Hammouda Bey (1759-1814 CE), under the premiership of Youssef Saheb Ettabaa (1765-1815 CE). Both men are mentioned by name in the manuscript, while the latter personally received and hosted the travellers before their commenced from Halq al-Wadi, Tunis, on 29 Rabi'i al-Awwal 1225 H (4 May 1810 CE).

Written in classical Arabic and enlivened with several occurrences of Tunisian colloquialisms as well as Maltese terms, the work recounts local Maltese celebrations and customs during carnivals (Kukkanja, Parata, etc.) and other religious festivities, with extensive details on decorations, costumes, ceremonies, and culinary traditions. A later blue ballpoint hand identifies the author as Sheikh Tayeb al-Zain (?) on the first page of the manuscript.

A remarkable testimony to the beginnings of Tunisian-Maltese diplomatic and trade relations prior to the British rule of Malta as well as to Tunisia's role in the Mediterranean during the Franco-British rivalry.