Berber people

Berbers, Amazighs | Imaziɣn

Total population
c. more than 30 million Berber speakers; 40 m. Arabic speakers
Regions with significant populations
Morocco: 17 million (60% of total pop.) Algeria: 13 m (40% of total pop.). Mali: 800,000 Niger: 750,000 Mauritania: 680,000 Libya: 470,000 Tunisia:117,783 Europe: 4 million
Languages
Berber languages Maghrebi Arabic
Religion
Islam (mostly Sunni), Christianity, Judaism
Related ethnic groups
Egyptian, Semitic people, Iberian people, Moorish people, Haratin people

Berbers or Imazighen (also called Ilibiyen, traduction : "free people") are an ethnic group found natively in the countries of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia in North Africa, and also found as immigrants in many countries, especially France. Berbers usually speak a Berber language, of which there are many dialects. Berbers were both nomadic and land owners according to the region they live in. Most Berbers are Muslims or follow the native animist Berber religion.

Gallery

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  This map shows where Berber is spoken.

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  Young Berber woman from Tunisia, with tattoo and traditional jewellery (early 1900s)

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  An old Amazigh room in Morocco.

Other websites

• The New Mass Media and the Shaping of Amazigh Identity
• Encyclopedia of the Orient -- Berbers