Disclaimer:**** ( with four stars to emphasize) I acknowledge that some content in this post may be culturally or historically controversial, and some readers may object. The information presented here is adapted from scholarly works; I do not claim its absolute truth, but it is based on extensive research by experts. I welcome corrections from knowledgeable individuals in the field, and you can contact me via email.
That being said, I want to discuss Berbers or Amazigh (Imazighen in plural form), the original indigenous inhabitants of North Africa. They have historically inhabited a vast region from western Egypt to the Canary Islands, and from the Mediterranean coast to the farthest reaches of the Sahara, a region called Tamazgha. Berber communities are dispersed across Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Mali, Niger, and Mauritania. Their various Amazigh languages belong to the Afro-Asiatic family, linked to ancient Egyptian. Personally, my connection to them stems from being Libyan, specifically from Warfala. Historical records indicate that tribes from Warfala, originally Imazighen, adopted an Arab identity during the Islamic conquest. My interest in researching my identity grew when I moved to Qatar and realized the distinct differences between North African and Arab cultures, despite the strong affinity.
The Origin of Their Name and Flag
Throughout history, Berbers have been assigned various names. The term "Berber" itself is derived from the Latin "barbarus," a label used by the Romans for non-Latin-speaking peoples. Although "Berber" remains common in the West, many Berbers now prefer tribal or regional names, or the more general term "Imazighen" (singular, Amazigh—pronounced A-mah-zeer), meaning "the free people" in the Berber language.
The Amazigh flag, adopted in 1997 by the Amazigh Congress to define their rights, symbolizes unity and cultural rebirth. The blue represents the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, the green signifies the Tamazgha land, and the yellow represents the Sahara. The red letter "Yaz" from their language symbolizes the free man, mirroring the meaning of the word "Amazigh."
Berbers' Origins
There are several theories on the origins of the Imazighen, the most predominant of which are:
1. European Origin: Some scholars suggest that Berbers may have originated from Indo-European roots, particularly from the lineage of Yafet bin Nuh. According to this theory, they migrated from India through Persia, the Caucasus, and Northern Europe (from Finland to Scandinavia to Brittany in France), and eventually reached Spain. Evidence supporting this idea includes megalithic landmarks found in North Africa.
2. Semitic Origin: Another group believes in a Semitic origin for Berbers, tracing their ancestry back to Sam, the son of Noah. As the ice melted and temperatures increased in the Arabian Peninsula, various Semitic branches, including Berbers, Nubians, and ancient Egyptians, migrated to Africa.
3. Dual Origin: A third perspective suggests that Berbers may belong to two distinct lineages - an Indo-European lineage and a Semitic lineage. According to this view, these lineages met in the West, leading to the diverse physical characteristics and dialects observed among Berbers, such as differences in skin tone, hair and eye color, skull shape, etc.
The Amazigh ancestors have inhabited Tamazgha for at least 12,000 years. Despite the use of the enigmatic Tifinah script by some tribes, most ancient Berbers were largely illiterate. The historical records first mention the Amazigh over 3000 years ago in the ledgers of the new kingdom of Egypt, where they interacted with ancient Libyans. Inscriptions on Egyptian landmarks, referred to as Taḥūmu or Rabbū, include Lūbu, a term broadly applied to the Berbers. The term "Lūbia" later transformed into "Libya." Ancient Egyptians portrayed the Berbers differently, often depicting them as tattooed, bearded, and pale-skinned. The Meshwesh, the largest Berber tribe, even managed to conquer parts of Egypt in 945 BC, establishing themselves as Pharaohs of Egypt’s 22nd and 23rd Dynasties.
In 814 BC, Phoenicians from Tyre founded Carthage in modern-day Tunisia, spreading to other regions of Tamazgha. Some Berbers resisted, while others joined the armies, and were known for their speed and deadliness. The Amazigh also encountered the Greeks, who colonized Cyrenaica in eastern Libya during the 7th century. The region's name comes from a legendary Berber warrior named Cyre, who became a protector of Greek colonists.
Traditionally, Berbers were polytheistic, influenced by the Phoenicians, Egyptians, and Greeks. Their native Amazigh religion also left an impact on these civilizations. Herodotus suggested that characters from Greek mythology, such as Medusa, the Gorgons, and Poseidon, had roots in Berber folklore. Dr. Wallis Budge, a 20th-century scholar, even proposed that the Egyptian god Osiris had origins among the native tribes of Libya.
The Hidden Aspects of History
The kingdom of Numidia and neighboring Mauretania marked the initial true homeland ruled by the Berbers, breaking away from foreign empires. Despite initial harmony, a war erupted in 112 BC between the Roman Republic and King Jugurtha of Numidia.
Under Roman rule, many Berbers converted to Christianity. Notably, Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, played a significant role in Christian philosophy, influencing the Western Catholic world. The Muslim conquest of North Africa, starting in 647 and concluding after 62 years, faced resilient Amazigh resistance.
Warrior queen Dehiya symbolized this resistance by defeating the Umayyad Caliphate's army in 698. After her defeat, Tamazgha integrated into the Umayyad and adopted Islam. Her contributions showcase the active role of women pre-Arab occupation.
The Muslim force that crossed the narrow sea and conquered Iberia in 711 was predominantly Amazigh in face one of its principal commanders Tariq ibn Ziyad was of Berber extraction. The Berbers were put in dangerous positions in the battle while the Arabs were behind.
Moreover, during the Islamic conquest, Berbers were treated unfairly compared to Arabs, leading some to adopt an Arab identity. Additionally, Arabs compelled many Jews and Christians to convert to Islam to avoid taxes that were imposed on non-Muslims, which is in reality contrary to Quran teachings. The Karijahs rebelled against unfair treatment by the Arabs and eliminated the last Khalifa al-Matgari. However, North Africans embraced Islam independently of Arab control and established the Dynasty of Zirids: The first true Amazigh empire led by Buluggin ibn Ziri, extending influence to Granada and Sicily. They flourished, establishing the first higher education institution for women, Kairouan.
Berber Expansions
Berbers in Andalusia (Spain):
Apart from the view that Berbers share a common origin with Iberians, the ancient inhabitants of Spain, some groups of Berbers went to Spain during the Carthaginian era and also with Roman armies. During the Islamic conquest of Al-Andalus, many Berbers converted to Christianity and integrated into the Spanish culture, settling in Spanish and Portuguese villages and towns. Some Berbers also migrated to America with the Spaniards, meeting their early ancestors who had settled there since ancient times. Some Berber vocabulary remains in Spanish and Portuguese, especially related to plant names.
Berbers in France and England:
Hannibal, the great Carthaginian commander, led Berber troops through Spain (Iberia) and France (Gaul), advancing into Italy from the north. After military campaigns led by Julius Caesar and Abd al-Rahman Al-Ghafiqi, Berbers remained in southern France, particularly in the Massif Central region, between the Garonne and Loire rivers, and they are the light-skinned found in the mountains of France. The ships of the Berbers sailed to England, where groups of Berbers, known as the Qaitiyyun or Qawītis, settled there.
Berbers in Sudan:
Berbers and Sudanese share a common ancestry. Original Berbers have a longstanding presence in Sudan, especially since the Phoenician era when they served as trade leaders, bringing Sudanese goods.
Berbers in the Canary Islands:
The original inhabitants, the Guanches, are of Berber origin, and during the Arab era, Berbers from the Banu Ghomara and Hawwara joined them. The Guanche language is a deviation of Berber, with slight variations between islands. Ancient inscriptions in the old Lūbi script and the Lūbi language still exist.
Berbers in America:
The Berbers went to America when the Carthaginian ancestors did. The Berbers arrived in America by tribes during epochs preceding the appearance of the Phoenicians themselves, meaning before the 12th century BCE. There are complete tribes there bearing Berber names; for example, the Mtmats tribe, with its counterpart in North Africa known as the Matmata. Additionally, there is a tribe named Ma'ya in America, resembling the Lma'ya tribe in North Africa. Furthermore, the customs of Native Americans bear similarities to Berber traditions.
Berbers and Matriarchal Societies
Activists who champion the Amazigh cause emphasize that centuries of Arabization have led to the corruption of Berber culture and the oppression of women. They couldn’t just spread the religion, they had to put the sprinkles of their culture as you will come to learn. Wallah with all due respect Arab readers, it’s your ancestors, not you that I’m attacking.
The ancient Berber communities, from which the Tuaregs originate, followed a matriarchal system with matrilineal descent. They believed that "the womb gives its color to the newborn child," making the child belong to the mother's caste, not the father's. This social structure empowered women, giving them control over the tribe's economy and property. In these communities, women not only had a dominant role economically but also enjoyed significant sexual freedom, a rarity even compared to other societies where women might hold influence either openly or subtly.
In these societies, a woman's primary attribute is her role in the sexual function. The family and tribe revolve around the woman's femininity, seen as a tool for the expression of love. Importantly, the Tuareg woman is not a possession or conquest but has the undeniable right to choose her partners. In Tuareg communities, a woman gains independence at puberty when she is excluded from religious practices, marking the ba-n’amuk period. During this time, considered impure due to the first menstrual blood, she cannot pray, but her family and clan celebrate this as her coming-of-age. This ceremony signifies her transition to womanhood, allowing her to paint her face, play the lute in public, participate in "courts of love," and declare herself in a state of Asri. While in the state of Asri, the Tuareg woman can have as many lovers as she desires, receiving them in her tent.
Identity and Language Struggle
Tamazight was the predominant language in North Africa until the seventh-century Muslim conquest introduced Arabic to the region. Today, speakers of Tamazight, who form a minority, are working towards integrating their language into official government use and inclusion in school curricula. While there have been some positive developments in Morocco and Algeria, progress in other countries remains limited. I, however, decided to start studying Tamazight independently, but there’s a lack of substantial online resources, unfortunately.
Resources:
Articles:
Papers:
- The Non-Arab Ethnic Groups of Libya, Louis Dupree
Youtube Videos:
Books:
- Berbers and Others, Katherine E.Hoffman & Susan Miller
- البربر، عثمان الكعاك (fav)
- A Cure for Serpents, Alberto di Pirajno
KM, till next time! <3
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