Isabelle Eberhardt was born in Geneva in 1877. From the outset, her identity
is uncertain. At the age of 20, Isabelle leaves Geneva to Annaba. She discovers
a country, a culture, a religion, Islam, that will totally fill her. During
a major part of her existence, she leads a nomad life in Algeria, wearing her
preferred identity (she will take many). She converts to Islam.
"indigenous saphi" causes a scandal. Most will be published after
her death. She becomes an astonishing witness of the Algerian reality. In her
approach to the Maghreb, she completely broke off with orientalism and the then
picturesque writings. On 25 December, 1905, she dies in the Ain Sefra flood
at the age of 27.
