Tunisia is well known to Star Wars fans. The country filled in for Tatooine, the birthplace of Luke Skywalker, in Episode IV: A New Hope. Luke’s home in 1977 film, where he lived with his aunt and uncle, was one of many “troglodyte” dwellings in the Berber-speaking town of Matmata.

When was Matmata built?

Built in the 15th century by Berber people, the multi-story structure was once used as a fortress to store large amounts of grain. After abandonment for many years, the fort was styled as a slave quarters in the Star Wars film, Phantom of the Menace.

What language do they speak in Tamezret?

Matmata Berber
Matmata Berber is a Zenati Berber dialect spoken around the town of Matmâta in southern Tunisia, and in the villages of Taoujjout, Tamezret and Zrawa.

How many Star Wars films used Matmata?

But it’s a traditional Berber home. Tunisia is a Mediterranean coastal and desert country that has been a favorite movie set location, including at least three of the extremely popular Star Wars films.

Which Star Wars movies were filmed in Tunisia?

Locations in Tunisia were used to film scenes for the first six Star Wars movies except Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back. The main locations are: Chott el Jerid — exterior of the Lars homestead.

What allows the matmata to make these underground homes?

However, unlike most underground dwellings, the homes in Matmata are not built on the side of the mountains. Instead, they are created by digging a large pit in the ground, and then around the sides of the pit caves are dug to be used as rooms.

Is Tunisian a Berber?

Tunisians are predominantly genetically descended from native Berber groups, with some Middle eastern & Western European input. Tunisians are also descended, to a lesser extent, from other North African and other European peoples.

Is Tunisia a Berber?

The majority of Tunisians are of Berber descent with small percentages of Arab. However, up to 20% of the population is said to be of Black African descent. While many are descendants of the slaves brought from further south in sub-Saharan Africa, some are said to be the original Berbers.

Was Star Wars filmed in Matmata?

MATMATA, Tunisia (AP) — There’s a reason the original “Star Wars” movie was filmed here in the deserts of southern Tunisia. And the underground home where Luke Skywalker first appeared living with his uncle and aunt is a real hotel in the town of Matmata, one of various desert locations used in the movies.