The Rachidia is an artistic and cultural association specializing inTunisian music. It was created on 3 November 1934 by the intellectual, political and artistic community led byMustapha Sfar [fr], who was Sheikh elMedina ofTunis at that period.^[1]

The institute's orchestra, ran byFethi Zghonda, is renowned in Tunisia and other parts of theMaghreb. The association is officially called Association of the Rachidi Institute of Tunisian Music. It is the first musical institution created inTunisia and one of the oldest ones ofArabic music.

The Rachidia name was chosen in reference toMuhammad I ar-Rashid, thirdruler of theHusainid Dynasty. The latter was initiated to music by his mother, an Italianaristocrat.^[2] A poet and passionate about music, he played theoud and violin. He was also interested in music,Andalusian songs and worked towards enriching the Tunisian music throughTurkish music,^[1] particularly in terms of rules and rhythms ofnūbāt. This sovereign established a music school at the beylical palace ofLe Bardo that was maintained under the rule of his successors.^[1]

• (in French)Official website