Geographic Location:

The estimated number of Berbers in north Africa is 38 million – conglomerate tribes known
under the generic term of Berbers or Imazighen. They are the indigenous inhabitants of
North Africa – currently distributed across a wide extent of country including Egypt, Libya,
Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Mali and Burkina Faso.

History:
The Berbers have a long and ancient history. The first hint of their history came with the
discovery of cave paintings as old as 12,000 years found in Libya.

Language:
Scientists estimate that 50% of the 7,000 languages still spoken today will disappear by the
year 2100. The main reasons for the language massacred = ‘oppression’ and ‘injustice’ since
their languages are unprotected constitutionally and may eventually die. Last year,
protesters in Algeria rallied over the rejection that would have formalised the Berber
language in curriculums but still schools do not teach Amazigh. Yet still Berber activists fight
for their identity rights.

Politics:
- Arabization Policies and the Amazigh Identity movement

Many political and other regimes still perceive Berber speech as a threat to their national
unity. However, The Berber-Amazigh identity movement has emerged in the recent decades
in North African states, demanding official recognition of cultural rights and challenging the
hegemonic narrative of history propagated by ruling elites who advocate the full Arabization
of society and the reduction of Berber culture to folklore status. It faces challenges of the
increasingly influential Islamists movements.

Religion:
Prior to the invasion by the Arabs in the 7th century, Berber people were either Christians,
Jews or believed that all plants, animals and even the land is spiritual. After being
conquered by the Arab nation the Berbers were forced to convert to Islam

Currently, there is a widescale Evangelical Christian movement in northern Algeria Kabyle.

1000s of Berbers are converting to Christianity.

Music and Arts:

- Folklore story of Dahiya – Berber Princess
- Play song
- Show photos of the traditional Kabyle wear

Berber art is mostly crafted through pottery, furniture, fabrics, jewellery or carpets.
Also, there are traditional dances and costumes that both women and men wear. In rugs
and in crafts you can see symbols with different meanings. Some women in the olden days
even used to tattoo these on their faces.

Famous Berbers:
- Ibn Batuta – Berber Moroccan explorer
- Leo Africanus – geographer, explorer
- Saint Augustine
- Saint Mark
- Dihya Kahina
- Khalida Toumi
- Morocco’s King Mohammed VI