Meet the indigenous Amazigh people of Morocco
Often referred to as “Berbers”, the Amazigh people of Morocco are a diverse collection of ethnic groups Indigenous to North Africa.
While they are concentrated primarily in the Maghreb region (Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Tunisia and Morocco), they can also be found in northern Mali and northern Niger.
Predating the arrival of Arabs in the region, the Amazigh people have a rich cultural heritage and linguistic traditions that stretch back centuries.
Their ways of life have persisted even as waves of outside influence, from Arab migrations to European colonisation, have washed over the region.
In Morocco, the Amazigh continue to maintain a distinct identity. Experiencing their cultural heritage first-hand is a highlight of any visit.
As my husband’s family is Amazigh, I’ve been lucky enough to share many meals and traditions that are intrinsically linked to their cultural identity. That being said, I still have so much to learn!
In this guide, I’ll share with you a brief history of the Amazigh people of Morocco, based on my research. I’ll also explain a few ways you can connect with Amazigh peoples while visiting the country.
As I am not Amazigh myself, I highly recommend seeking out further information and knowledge from Amazigh-led organisations. Consider checking out the World Amazigh Congress or the Amazigh World News. Both websites provide regular updates on events and campaigns surrounding Amazigh peoples.
Alternatively, follow the work of the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs. They have a page dedicated to Amazigh peoples here.
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A brief history of the Amazigh people
Descended from North African Stone Age tribes, the first written accounts of the Amazigh people can be found in ancient Egyptian writings. Some of these back to around 2000 BCE.
During this time, Amazigh languages and cultures began spreading westward from the Nile Valley across the Sahara Desert. Eventually they reached the Maghreb region of North Africa.
Over the centuries, a diverse array of Amazigh groups arose. Some established influential kingdoms (such as Numidia and Mauretania) that wielded significant power and influence in the region.
However, their political autonomy was challenged by the Arab conquests of the 7th and 8th centuries CE. This set in motion a long process of “Arabisation” – the spread of Arabic language and culture. This would have a profound and lasting impact on Amazigh communities.
It eventually led to the widespread adoption of Arabic as the primary language and the conversion of many Amazigh people to Islam.
While local Arab dynasties came to rule parts of the Maghreb, Amazigh tribes remained powerful political forces. Some even founded new ruling dynasties in the 10th and 11th centuries.
The spread of Islam also provided ideological momentum for the rise of major Amazigh empires like the Almoravids and Almohads in the 11th to 13th centuries. Their successors – the Marinids, Zayyanids and Hafsids – continued to wield power until the 16th century.
Colonial rule saw the rise of “Berberism” – a political-cultural movement against the Arabisation of North Africa. However, it was only once Arabic was adopted as the official language in the wake of Moroccan independence that the movement began to gather force amongst the general populace.
This was largely due to the fact that indigenous Amazigh people were forced to study Arabic. As a result, they weren’t able to use or learn in Tamazight (their native language) at school.
In Morocco, the constitutional reforms enacted in 2011 were a watershed moment. They elevated the Amazigh language to an official national language that is now taught in schools.
This represents a major shift away from the historical marginalisation and suppression of Amazigh identity across the Maghreb. It has also amplified the question of whether we should be referring to Indigenous Moroccans as “Amazigh” or “Berber”.
Amazigh vs Berber: What’s the difference?
Historically, the Indigenous peoples of Morocco did not refer to themselves using the terms “Amazigh” or “Berber”. Instead, they used their own local names and languages to identify themselves, with each community having its own distinct terminology.
The word “Berber” itself is derived from the ancient Greek term “barbaros” (“barbarians”). It was originally used to describe non-Greek speaking peoples. Later, it was adopted by Arab conquerors to refer to Indigenous North Africans.
Local insight:
Some Indigenous Moroccans view the term “Berber” as derogatory. Instead, they would prefer to be referred to by the collective term “Amazigh”, which means “free people”.
That being said, many Amazigh people in Morocco have no problem with the term “Berber” and proudly use it as a form of cultural identification. Many Amazigh-owned businesses have “Berber” in the title, as do cultural museums.
My husband is Amazigh and is happy to be referred to as “Berber”. However, he recognises that other people in his community prefer the term “Amazigh”.
In addition to their cultural identity, the Amazigh people of Morocco have placed a strong emphasis on preserving their ancestral language(s). Comprising several dialects, these date back over 2,000 years.
Over the centuries, they have been collectively known by various names, including Tamacheq, Tamaheq and Tamazight. In modern times, the preferred term is generally Tamazight.
That being said, the specific dialect can vary considerably depending on the geographic region.
For instance, the Souss people in southern Morocco refer to their language as Tashelhit. This is what my husband’s family speaks at home.
The nomadic Tuareg people of the Sahara Desert call their Tamazight dialect Tuareg. Meanwhile, the Mozabite people of the M’zab valley in Algeria speak Tumzabt.
Despite this diversity of regional dialects and terminology, native speakers often refer to their language as “Berber” when they are talking to foreigners.
As a traveller, I feel a responsibility to understand the struggles of Indigenous peoples in the countries I visit and to educate myself on their preferred terminology. Our choice of words is incredibly important in giving Indigenous peoples the dignity they deserve and supports the preservation of their cultural legacy.
It’s for this reason I have predominantly used the word “Amazigh” throughout my website. The exceptions are when “Berber” has been used by an organisation or business to describe itself or if I am directly quoting someone else.
How to experience Amazigh culture in Morocco
If you’re travelling to Morocco, there are so many opportunities to experience the country’s Amazigh culture. This is true, whether you’re visiting the majestic Atlas Mountains, modern cities or the expansive Sahara Desert.
Many remote towns and villages are still predominantly Amazigh and welcome tourists. There are lots of tours that enable you to visit with the help of a local interpreter and gain a better insight into the Amazigh lifestyle and traditions.
In the Ourika Valley, you’ll find the Berber Ecomuseum. It showcases Indigenous handicrafts and artefacts that illustrate their traditional way of life.
Even in the cities, there are opportunities to experience Amazigh culture, whether it’s shopping for handmade goods in the souks or visiting the Musée Berbère within Marrakech’s Jardins Majorelle.
Agadir is an urban heartland of Amazigh culture. In fact, it is one of the only cities in the country where Tamazight is spoken by more than half the locals. This is where my husband grew up and while he is a modern city dweller, he is culturally rooted in Amazigh traditions.
There are also lots of cultural festivals taking place across Morocco throughout the year that celebrate Amazigh traditions. None are more important than Amazigh New Year.
Also known as Yennayer, it takes place on January 12 and is like a big party. You can expect lots of amazing food and music in the streets.
Other festivals such as Tafraoute’s Almond Blossom Festival and the Imilchil Marriage Festival are, on the facade, about the harvest season and love. But they are also celebrations of the Amazigh traditions in their respective towns.
To learn more about Morocco’s incredible cultural festivals, check out my detailed article here.
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About Me
I’m Malika, a global traveller who first visited Morocco in 2014 before marrying a local and settling down in a little village on the Atlantic coast. Over the years, I’ve developed an intense love for Morocco, its incredible landscapes, storied cities and the exceptionally generous hospitality of its people.
Malika in Morocco is a place to share my years of experience exploring the country, from north to south and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Sahara Desert. As a resource for travellers visiting Morocco, I want to encourage others to experience this captivating destination the way they desire, whether that’s independently or under the expert guidance of local tour operators.
I believe strongly in supporting responsible and sustainable tourism initiatives while inspiring travel experiences that are life-impacting and mutually beneficial for both travellers and locals.
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