Berbers
By Garrett Parish
Religion and Culture
By the twenty first century nearly all Berbers were Muslim. There is evidence that they also have animistic beliefs and believe certain lands are sacred.The Berbers religion is based of traditional African religions. They found this religion through contact of other African tribes.
Art and Dance
Women are carriers of their culture by wearing their art through jewelry, fabric weaving, fashion, and embroidery. Almost all of there art is geometrical, nonrepresentational pattern. Most of the Berbers art is pottery, weaving, jewelry, and architecture. Some of the more remarkable pieces are there weaved rugs. The Berber tribe dance and sing around fires in the village. The Ahouch is one of the most important dances they do. Ahouch is the dance of the villages when Berber families and different villagers gather around in song and dance. In the background there is a steady beat being played by a drum.
Flag
The red sign represents freedom or "free man." The Berber flag itself represents all of their people living in harmony with their land.
Music
During the Berbers songs they play flute, strike drums, string harps, and play other musical instruments. They start with a slow beat and slowly get faster in almost all of their tribal songs. Also people usually sing in harmony.
Were Do They Live
Berber mainly live in Morocco which is located through the top part of North Africa. Berbers are also known for living in Niger, Mali, Egypt, Libya, Algeria, and Tunisia.
Language
The Berbers language is spoken through the countries Morocco and Algeria. Tamazight is the name of their language. Tamazight is spoken by 3 to 5 million people. The Berbers language is one of the oldest languages known.
Society
The Berbers were part of the lower class when a part of the Punic society. They lived in scattered communities throughout multiple countries in North Africa. Berbers are traditionally one of two things, farmers or merchants. They Berbers are a tribe which is why they are called the Berber tribe.