Located on a hilltop near a modern village of the same name, Chenini was a fortified granary, or ksar (plural ksour).

The oldest structures on the hillside date back to the 12th century; some of the buildings are still used to store grain for the villagers living in the valley below.

Many scenes for the movies were filmed in the area; one of the moons of the home planet of Luke Skywalker was named Chenini.

As of 2023, Chenini was inhabited by around 500 Berber farmers and herders who live in caves carved out of rock, many of which have been modernized.

The village is facing a demographic decline as younger generations leave for Tunis and Europe in search of work.