In North Africa, local meanings attributed to domestic space are often ambivalent, with the home sometimes depicted as the irrational world of women, at other times as a space both sacrosanct and pure. Blessings must be recited upon entering and leaving households, and people take great care to avoid introducing impure elements into the household. Seclusion of women within domestic space attests to the honor of a household. While mosque attendance for men is encouraged, for women, prayer at home is preferable.

Rules for conduct in North African domestic space are derived from…