Revisiter la Tunisie par le sud : arrière-pays, cartes mentales et mémoire

The article explores the potentiality of fieldwork in border and decentralised areas. It draws inspiration from Fanny Colonna’s study on the Egyptian province and the salutary displacement of viewpoint. An experience of Southern Tunisia, namely in Douz, enables the author to observe the sense of belonging of the inhabitants of this town on the edge of the desert. In-depth interviews with the members of Marbed, an association devoted to heritage conservation, disclosed a confrontational relationship with the official narrative of the Tunisian authoritarian regime. A strong attachment to the Mrazig tribe, combined with pan-Islamic and Maghribian solidarity, overcomes national feelings.