Lakhouet (l-Axwǟt) is a small town in the north of the Governorate Siliana. Despite its smallness, it has some developed infrastructure and a direct train connection to the capital.
Due to its closeness to Tunis, its fertile earth and natural resources it was of great interest for the French. Lakhouet is part of the district (muʕtamadīya) of Gaʕfūr that is inhabited mainly by the tribes of Ūlǟd Žwīn, il-Wislǟtīya, il-Kinǟzra and il-Brākta.
From 1952 until 1993, the main employer was a zinc- and lead-mine, attracting workers from all around Tunisia’s North Western and central regions and even from Libya. Therefore, many different dialects mingled in the region. After the mine had been closed, many became unemployed and left the town. Now the most important economic branch is agriculture.
