An unexpected event marked the daily life of the inhabitants of Djerba on Tuesday: two centenary trees, established for generations in front of the famous cafe El Haj Hassan In Houmet Souk, collapsed simultaneously. Neither strong winds nor storm … Nothing suggested such a fall. The scene provoked stupor and emotion among local residents and the faithful of the place, who saw it much more than simple trees.
These two trees were part of the medina decor for decades. A photo dating from 1943 shows them still young, proof that they had been planted long before. Since then, they have grown up with the neighborhood, welcomed generations of coffee customers and accompanied the collective memory. For many, they had become a benchmark and an identity symbol of Houmet Souk.
Specialists advance several hypotheses as to the causes of this simultaneous collapse:
- Weakening of the roots because of an excess of humidity or any underground leaks.
- Weakened soil, unable to maintain the anchoring of trees.
- Weight of the branches that have become too heavy in the face of weakened roots.
- Natural aging: Like human beings, trees end up losing their vitality over time.
If the loss is material and symbolic, it also recalls the fragility of the natural heritage. The inhabitants already evoke the possibility of replanting new trees so that history continues. Others emphasize the need to keep images, stories and testimonies in order to keep the memory of these time witnesses alive.
