Abstract :
[en] This study examines bars as spaces with historical, religious, and cultural characteristics in Arab and Islamic cities, rendering them "profane" spaces. Historically, these venues have been associated with a social and cultural history that links alcohol-serving establishments to concubines and singing girls—women considered of "bad reputation" or in contrast to the ideal image of the "free" woman. Additionally, bars are tied to religious rulings prohibiting alcohol consumption for believers in predominantly Islamic societies, making these spaces taboo for both men and women. Despite this, individuals have frequented bars throughout Islamic history and continue to do so today. These spaces have also undergone transformations linked to the broader changes in Arab and Islamic cities, particularly through colonization and modernization.
The social tolerance extended to men frequenting such spaces is often not the same for women. A woman’s presence in a bar intersects with various economic, social, cultural, religious, and political dynamics. For some women, being in a bar might feel like a transgression (e.g., sex workers), for others, it could represent curiosity about traditionally male-dominated spaces (e.g., teenagers), or even a desire to reject authority in all its forms.
The researcher employs a qualitative methodology to study the forms of female presence in bars across Tunis, focusing on venues with varying economic, cultural, and social conditions. Ethnography, including participant observation, and in-depth interviews with women will be utilized to uncover forms of power that might not be apparent through the researcher’s experience alone. This is particularly significant given that women’s presence in bars may result in violence outside the space (and sometimes even before entering).
Studying the female body’s presence in bars sheds light on the broader transformations within Arab and Islamic cities. The evolution of bars intersects with economic, social, and political shifts experienced by these societies and cities. Moreover, examining gender discrimination in such spaces reveals changes in power dynamics through the study of how women’s presence is shaped by prevailing societal perceptions and stereotypes. These stereotypes influence women’s choices about whether to enter a bar, the type of bar they frequent, and their perception of their own presence there. This, in turn, shapes their bodily performance within the space. Women’s presence in bars is also fraught with the risk of violence (in various forms) within the space or even after leaving it. The "bad reputation" associated with such spaces often determines how others—primarily men, but sometimes women who support patriarchal norms—interact with these women.
This study will explore how women assert their presence in bars and the strategies they employ to defend their existence in traditionally male-dominated spaces, providing insights into the intersection of gender, power, and urban transformations.
