From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Khniss"(Arabic: خنيس‎) is a small city in the Tunisia sahel region, located on the coastal area at 5 km to the south of Monastir,.

Khniss is the origin of the very famous Tunisian linguist at the era of the Aghlabites [[Abu Isaak Al Khounaysy ))who taught linguistics and grammar in the first African university and research center built by the Aghlabites in Kairouan.

The signification of the word Khniss remains mysterious and no historian as so far gave a solid explanation or evidence. Some historians invoque a possible meaning of Church as a deformation od the arabic khanis, others invoque a possible meaning of "depression" from the arabic khounais". Others say it may has an unkown berber origin. In Irak there is a very old historical assyrian village with the name of Khniss. Also in Morocco there is a village with the same name. These may provide possibilities for exploration.

The city was mentioned as a refuge for Arab families evicted from Sicily in the 15th century by the Noramans. Some sources mention the migrations of the Sicilians to Khniss in the 10th century on two waves after Sicilia passed under the rule of the Norman king Roger. The economic activity of the city was mainly based on olive farming and on fishing. Nowadays, the local economy is more diversified, with an important textile industry.Its population is estimated at around 10,000.

Six major families are quoted as forming the population of the city:

- The "Aguir" and "Bellamine" known as the indigenous and the oldest family or branch; - The "Mbarka" also called "jhouch", the actual Mabrouk families. We can also find the members - The "Boussaid" also called "trabelsia" by old poople (originating from Tripoli (Libya),of this family in the neighbouring city of Monastir; - The "Trimech"(likely originationg from Crete, Greece); - The "Sakly" (oringinating from Sicilia), - The "Kraiem" also called "Jraba" originating from the Island of Djerba folowing some reports by old people.

Adding to these major families Khniss also comprises other less numerous families like the "Debbabi" or "Haddad" both coming from the neighbouring Monastir. The people of Khniss or "Khnissians" are known as peaceful, hard working , very honest and hospital.Khniss is also well known by the high number of people holding high diplomas.

The economic activity of the city was mainly based on olive farming ,fishing, stone quarries (with seriously harmed the neighboring landscapes of the city) and on handcraft textile.Khniss is well known as one of the major cities of the tunisian sahel region specialised in wool processing for making several products especialy wool blankets known as "ferrachia" in arabic. With the modern firms of textile processing, the old textile sector got a very severe shock and its economic importance have declined. Nowadays, the local economy is more diversified, with an important export oriented textile industry based mainly on wear making.

Khniss is also known by its laguna that was very rich by several species of fishes. The pollution destroyed a big part of its marine biodiversity and ecological equilibrium.

This Tunisian location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.