• 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

  • English
  • Arabic

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The biog

Hometown: Cairo

Age: 37

Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror

Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing

Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition

FIGHT%20CARD
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Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

Rafael Nadal's record at the MWTC

2009 Finalist

2010 Champion

Jan 2011 Champion

Dec 2011 Semi-finalist

Dec 2012 Did not play

Dec 2013 Semi-finalist

2015 Semi-finalist

Jan 2016 Champion

Dec 2016 Champion

2017 Did not play

 

SPECS
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While you're here
While you're here
Kareem Shaheen on Canada

Turkish Ladies

Various artists, Sony Music Turkey 

Scores

Rajasthan Royals 160-8 (20 ov)

Kolkata Knight Riders 163-3 (18.5 ov)

UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

RESULT

Manchester United 1 Brighton and Hove Albion 0
Man United: Dunk (66' og)

Man of the Match: Shane Duffy (Brighton)

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Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Whiile you're here
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How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
The Farewell

Director: Lulu Wang

Stars: Awkwafina, Zhao Shuzhen, Diana Lin, Tzi Ma

Four stars

French business

France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.

The specs: 2019 Haval H6

Price, base: Dh69,900

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km

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Starring: Joaquin Phoenix

Rating: Five out of five stars

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