Habiba Msika

Born Marguerite Msika in Testour and raised in the Hara of Tunis, Habiba Msika was trained in classical Malouf and vocal arts by her aunt Leïla Sfez. Possessing a dazzling soprano voice, rebellious spirit, and radiant beauty, she shattered social boundaries for North African women.

Performing Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet in Arabic and singing nationalist anthems, in 1928 she famously appeared on stage wrapped in the red and white Tunisian national flag singing for independence, prompting colonial police riots. Her tragic murder in 1930 by an obsessed suitor provoked national mourning with thousands filling Tunis streets.