Jabbes is in the north-eastern part of the Tunisian Kasserine governorate. It is a very pastoral place with a cactus landscape situated on a mountain chain. There are many sacred sites up on those mountains. The tombs of the female saint Židda Žǟlīya as well as the male saints Židdi Sǟfi and Sīdi ʕAlī Šǟyib are located there. Moreover, a local centre is called after the saint ʕAlī b. Žbal, meaning “Ali, son of the mountains”. Sīdi ʕAbd il-Qǟdir is a further example of a saint after whom a part of Jabbes is named.
Once per year, people pilgrimage to these cultural sites. The festivities in honour of a saint usually last two days. On the first day, people visit the place (zyāra), laying down money, frankincense (bxūr) or Jawi-incense (žāwi). One day after that, the celebration follows. People install stands to sell sweets, fruits or other things. In previous times, this celebration was called zarda. Nowadays, people in Jabbes, however, call it festival (mahražǟn) dedicating it to the respective saint.
