Berber people
 | |
| 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.). | |
| Languages | |
| Berber languages Maghrebi Arabic | |
| Religion | |
| Islam (mostly Sunni) | |
| 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.[1] 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 Muslim and follow the Sunni branch and school of Maliki.
Gallery[change | change source]
This map shows where Berber is spoken.
An old Amazigh room in Morocco.
Berber flag
Berbers performing traditional dance.
_room_in_Morocco.jpg)
Groups[change | change source]
Although most Maghrebis are of Berber ancestry, most now speak Arabic and only some scattered Berber ethnicities still speak the native Berber Afroasiatic languages.
| Group | Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blida/Médéa Atlas Berbers | Algeria | In Central Algeria. |
| Chaoui people | Algeria | Found mainly in Eastern Algeria. |
| Chenini and Douiret Berbers | Tunisia | |
| Chenoui Berbers | Algeria | Ouarsenis and Mount Chenoua (Western Algeria). |
| Chleuhs | Morocco | The High Atlas, Anti-Atlas and the Sous valley. |
| Djerba Berbers | Tunisia | Speakers of the Djerbi language. |
| Ghomaras | Morocco | Only two berber speaking tribes left. Found in the western Rif between Tetouan and Jebha. |
| Guezula | Mauritania | |
| Kabyles | Algeria | In Kabylie. |
| Matmata Berbers | Tunisia | In Southern Tunisia. |
| Mozabites | Algeria | In the M'zab Valley (southern Algeria). |
| Nafusis | Libya | In western Libya. |
| Riffians | Morocco | Primarily in northern Morocco, with some also in Beni Snous, Northwestern Algeria |
| Sanhaja | Morocco | Found in the Rif bordering Riffian speaking tribes. |
| Siwi | Egypt | In the Siwa valley of Egypt. |
| Beni Snous | Algeria | Aït Snouss villages of western Algeria. Closely related to the Riffians in Morocco. |
| Tuareg | Algeria, Libya, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso | Sahara (southern Algeria and north of the Sahel). |
| Zayanes | Morocco | Middle Atlas mountains of Morocco. |
| Zenaga | Mauritania | |
| Zuwaras | Libya | In northwestern Libya. |
| Benha | Egypt | A family called Al-Barbary lives in Benha. |
References[change | change source]
Other websites[change | change source]
