Bou Saada is a town in the province of M’Sila, Algeria. The city is often visited by tourists who come to the region. Less than four hours by car from the capital, the city attracts thanks to an oasis and exotic sites.
While most visitors prefer tourist sites such as the tomb of the Emir El Hashemi, the Ferrero mill and its waterfall or even the Nassredine Dinet Museum, some less common experiences mark travelers, but also the local population.
This is what happened for a group of tourists who were strolling between the old houses of Bou Saâda. The group from Saint Germain en Laye and Edinburgh had the opportunity to meet Mustapha, 90 years old and a blacksmith for 78 years.
Meeting with Mustapha, blacksmith for 78 years
As stated previously, a group of tourists had the chance to make an encounter that could mark them for life. It is on its social networks that the travel agency Riwaya Travel shared a video that looks back on this moment of sharing.
The tour group was touring the town of Bousaada, strolling through the alleys when they came across the shop of Mustapha, a 90-year-old blacksmith. The man, who has been doing this job for 78 years, has a small shop in which he strikes iron in order to make knives that he puts up for sale.
The condition of man moves, very quickly. We notice, through the images, that Mustapha, very old, is struggling. Indeed, his limbs tremble strongly “because of old age”. The meeting is overwhelming and Mustapha is described as being “a walking lesson, on love, life, politics but also death”.
After half an hour, the man ends up crying in the arms of the tourists and his generosity is equal to his experience. He therefore decided to offer each visitor a knife, but also “a story engraved for life”.
