• Tunisia's sole artisan pipe-maker Anis Bouchnak carves smoking pipes from native briar wood, a craft passed down by his grandfather and father. All photos by AFP
    Tunisia's sole artisan pipe-maker Anis Bouchnak carves smoking pipes from native briar wood, a craft passed down by his grandfather and father. All photos by AFP
  • The Bouchnak family workshop was established half a century ago in Tabarka, a northwestern tourist town nestled in verdant hills that plunge towards the Mediterranean.
    The Bouchnak family workshop was established half a century ago in Tabarka, a northwestern tourist town nestled in verdant hills that plunge towards the Mediterranean.
  • Over the years, Bouchnak pipes have gained a certain renown.
    Over the years, Bouchnak pipes have gained a certain renown.
  • "I am proud to be the only pipe-maker in Tunisia," said the craftsman, his hands roughened from his trade.
    "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."
    "But frankly, I would have liked to have competition, because this would have motivated me to progress."
  • French pipe-makers refused to teach Anis's grandfather Chedly Bouchnak their craft. So he spied on them to learn their secrets.
    French pipe-makers refused to teach Anis's grandfather Chedly Bouchnak their craft. So he spied on them to learn their secrets.
  • 37-year-old Anis took on the workshop in 2011 after the death of his grandfather.
    37-year-old Anis took on the workshop in 2011 after the death of his grandfather.
  • He learnt the ropes from a master pipe-maker employed by his grandfather, who died last year.
    He learnt the ropes from a master pipe-maker employed by his grandfather, who died last year.
  • Now, Bouchnak makes pipes in his own original style -- while not sacrificing functionality.
    Now, Bouchnak makes pipes in his own original style -- while not sacrificing functionality.
  • "It's a whole market that's mine," he said. "But it's a burden to be the only pipe-maker, because I'm responsible for carrying on this craft and passing the torch on to someone else."
    "It's a whole market that's mine," he said. "But it's a burden to be the only pipe-maker, because I'm responsible for carrying on this craft and passing the torch on to someone else."

MENA

The last pipe maker in Tunisia - in pictures

Anis Bouchnak is the only craftsman in Tunisia to continue to make pipes by hand

The National

February 10, 2021

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