A socio-historical (Berber) perspective on the Amazigh Cultural Movement in North Africa

Abstract

North Africa has known various colonizations which in contact with indigenous ones have given the area a special character. One continuing presence since antiquity is that of the Berbers, or the Imazighen, the indigenous population of the area. In this article an attempt is made to shed light on the status of the language and culture of the Imazighen, and in particular on the recent calls for official recognition of the Amazigh language in the constitutions of the two countries with the highest presence of Imazighen, namely Morocco and Algeria. Although some recent developments, like the teaching of the Amazigh language in primary schools, give reason enough to be optimistic about the future of the indigenous language and culture, a closer look at the ideological background of pan Arab-nationalists casts doubts on any serious government intentions to guarantee the maintenance and development of the Amazigh language and culture. This ideology will be brought to light by contrasting the constitutional rights that some Muslim and/or African countries grant to their citizens who speak different languages than the official one(s).Key words: Amazigh identity, Amazigh Language, Berber, culture, linguistic rights, minority languages, pan-Arabism

Tonal placement in Tashlhiyt: How an intonation system accommodates to adverse phonological environments

“…These changes, however, had the opposite effect. A sense of nationalism in Morocco emerged, uniting Imazighen and Arabs under the umbrella of a common language: Arabic (El-Aissati 2005).…”

“…This move of the government, however, completely ignored the multilingual reality in Morocco. In the official constitution, which claimed Arabic to be the official language of the country, the Imazighen and their language, Berber, were not even mentioned once (El-Aissati 2005).…”

The Amazigh Musical Style of Rouicha: Transcending Linguistic and Cultural Boundaries

“…When Arabic was declared as an official language, the status of Tamazight was not integrated in public life with, e.g., interpreters in courts, hospitals, and other institutions. 28 Moreover, even though many people in Morocco speak Tamazight, Arabic and French are considered prestige languages, spoken by the privileged. 29 Rouicha invokes the mountain and the lion -Mun dizem yufach, ddu kufiyat I lʿwari ("Take the lion and the mountain as a refuge")and shade -Qqim chi awa, qim chi awa, Qim chi atsmalut azzal nk atawikh shili ("Protect yourself, the noon sun will burn you, it is too late for me, it hit me already")as metaphors in asking the Amazigh to not forget their roots.…”

Moroccan Feminist Discourses

“…9 These activists were accused of "disturbing the public order" and were arrested and jailed. This incident, the first of its kind in modern Morocco, assumed an international dimension and became a symbol of the Berber struggle (El Aissati 2005, Ennaji 2005.…”