Who Are the Amazigh (Berbers)?
• Berbers are the indigenous people of North Africa and live primarily in Morocco, Algeria, Libya, and Tunisia. • Although Berbers once ruled over kingdoms in the region, the Arabs conquered the area beginning in the seventh century. • Today, most Berbers are Muslim, although many still retain their own ancient customs and festivals, particularly in rural areas. • A majority of Moroccans trace their ancestry to Berbers. While many still speak a distinct language known as Tamazight, the Moroccan Constitution does not officially recognize their language. • Over the past few decades, many Moroccan Berbers have moved to cities, but those in villages have a largely agricultural lifestyle. • Berbers refer to themselves as Amazigh, which means free men.
