Since the dawn of history, the Imazighen people have been the indigenous inhabitants of North Africa. (Berber is a name that has been given them by others and which they themselves do not use). Their territory reaches from Egypt to Mauritania and from the Mediterranean to the boundaries of historic sub-Saharan Africa (not North Africa). Various empires and peoples have conquered portions of historic Tamazgha (their land), beginning with the Phoenicians and Greeks and continuing through the Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Arabs, Turks, French, British, Spanish, and Italians. Imazighen and beliefsImazighen have been subjected to various religious beliefs: their own early pantheistic (God is in all) concepts; the polytheistic (idolatry) dogmas of the Phoenicians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans; and monotheistic (one God) Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Since the 13th century, most Imazighen have professed the Islamic faith and Islam has sunk most deeply into their psyches. Throughout their history, the Imazighen have always had their heroes or heroines who have defended their ancestral homeland but then succumbed to the superior "civilized" might of their conquerors.The term Amazigh Amazigh "nationalists" are lobbying for the use of the term "Amazigh", which they use to describe themselves in their own languages. "Amazigh" signifies "free" or "noble" person; the plural is Imazighen. To define, in the most generic way, the language that they speak, Imazighen use the term "Tamazight." This term is also used specifically for the speech of the Imazighen of Kabylia in Algeria and the Middle Atlas in Morocco. The "gh" in the words Tamazight and Amazigh is pronounced as a sharp "r" (Amazir). Regional Tamazight speakers use their own localized terms to define their own regional variations, such as Tarrifit in northern Morocco, Tashilhit in Morocco's Sous Valley, and the like. The original Amazigh alphabetic transcription system is referred to as "Tifinagh". Variant transcription systems in use include Latin and Arabic adaptations of Tifinagh representations. Biological affinityAmazigh/ Berber populations show varying degrees of biological affinity with Europeans, Middle Easterners and sub-Saharan Africans. Those who inhabit the northern Maghrib (the western part of North Africa) and most of the Atlas Mountains are typically light brown to pallid in complexion, with a high frequency of blond and red hair and green and blue eyes relative to the region as a whole.Those who live in and around the Sahara zone range from brown to very dark. Isolated Tamazight-speaking groups are found all over North Africa, from the Atlantic in the west to Egypt in the east. A colourful nomadic Berber tribe, the Tuaregs, whose male warriors wear blue dresses and indigo-colored veils, still roam the Sahara desert. Sedentary agriculture Contrary to popular romanticism which portrays Imazighen as nomadic peoples crossing the desert on camels, most actually practice sedentary agriculture in the mountains and valleys throughout northern Africa. Some do, in fact, engage in trade throughout the region, and such practices certainly had a tremendous influence on the history of the African continent. Trade routes established from western Africa to the Mediterranean connected the peoples of southern Europe with much of sub-Saharan Africa thousands of years ago. There are five trade routes which extend across the Sahara from the northern Mediterranean coast of Africa to the great cities, which are situated on the southern edge of the Sahara. Berber merchants were responsible for bringing goods from these cities to the north. From there, they were distributed throughout the world. Morocko and Algeria - BerberIt may come as a surprise to hear that the North African Moslem countries Morocco and Algeria are, in an ethnic sense, not Arab nations at all, but Berber/ Amazigh nations, speaking a completely different language than Arabic. Politically the Arab minority has dominated these countries for centuries, and has - without much success, though - attempted to eradicate the language. This also holds true of the present leaderships in independent Morocco and Algeria, who up to now have tried to establish an Arab identity for their countries. In the latest years, the Maghrib (the western part of North Africa) experienced an awakening of Berber consciousness.Recognition of the identity After years of repression, the Amazigh movement in Morocco is now going through a very active and decisive stage in the struggle for the recognition of the Moroccan Amazigh identity. More Imazighen are being organized and involved in their local communities in order to denounce the marginalization of the Amazigh culture and language. More than a dozen Amazigh associations were created in the last few years. Moreover, newsstands and bookstores in all the major cities are filled with new Amazigh magazines and other publications that provide outstanding articles about their culture. This enthusiasm is not shared by the national press or the government controlled radio and television. |
Amazigh people's language - TamazightThe Amazigh heart is beating stronger than ever. Amazigh associations in North Africa, Europe and the USA are working very hard not only to preserve the Amazigh culture but also to fight Arab cultural dominance in North Africa. Amazigh magazines are published not only in Tamazight language, but also in French and Arabic in order to reach out and encourage militancy amongst all citizens against the cultural discrimination against Tamazight. Furthermore, while the Maghreb Arab Union is still struggling to exist, the Amazigh World Congress (CMA) is alive, in order to unite and streamline the efforts to preserve the Amazigh cultural heritage.In Algeria, where the Amazigh language rights movement is most overt and powerful, there have been periodic mass demonstrations since 1980 when the so-called Berber Spring uprising forced this issue into public view. That movement continues today. In June of 2001, over 1-million Imazighen demonstrated in Algiers and Morocco, calling for official acceptance of Amazigh identity and state-funded education in the Tamazight language. In May of 2002, Imazighen in the Tamazight-speaking region of Kabylia (Algeria) boycotted the country’s parliamentary elections because they feel that the country’s entire political system is rigged against them. A number of people have died in this struggle in Algeria in recent years, and no sign of a lasting resolution is in sight. Education for ImazighenAmazigh protests have had limited success, but they have at least led to the introduction of formal teaching of Imazighen in some Moroccan and Algerian schools and universities. The strong Amazigh desire to establish a national identity is accelerating. (Their flag to the right). |
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