According to the Lebanese Al-Mustaqbal newspaper (Beirut, July 29), "Morocco and Algeria are making considerable strides toward reviving the Berber culture and the Amazigh language in order to take their rightful place in the national heritage and identity...."
The Berbers are the native people of North Africa, whose culture pre-dates the expansionist Arab conquest, occupation and mass settlement projects of the 7th century. Berber culture has been repressed ever since, with several recent violent clashes between Berbers and Arab authorities in Algeria and elsewhere. In Morocco, the Berbers constitute over 35% of the population, and in Algeria, about 20%.
In contrast to past policies, according to a North African affairs expert interviewed by Al-Mustaqbal, Morocco is currently incorporating Amazigh, the pre-Arab language of the region, in the curricula of 354 public elementary schools by 2010. In addition, the newspaper reported, "Morocco organized an Amazigh film festival in June that included 17 documentary pictures on Berber culture, something that reflects the ardent activities in Amazigh art," according to the North Africa expert, George Al-Rassi.
Al-Rassi noted, however, some problems that might arise as the Arab states attempt to reconcile with their pre-Arab native populations.
"The etymological differences of [the] three dialects [of Amazigh] pose the question of which one should be taught...." Al-Rassi noted. Furthermore, "Berbers are divided over [the] issue [of the Amazigh alphabet], and those who advocate the Latin characters want to distance Berbers from the Arab world, even though Amazigh has been heavily influenced by Arabic," Al-Rassi said.
Displaying a certain Arab arrogance regarding the importance of Berber culture to the native North African people, Al-Rassi asked what the practical purpose was of teaching a language spoken only in North Africa. According to the Lebanese newspaper, "Morocco and Algeria should not rush into this project of reviving Amazigh and squander their efforts and resources, but should plan more carefully for the future, Rassi said."
The Berbers are the native people of North Africa, whose culture pre-dates the expansionist Arab conquest, occupation and mass settlement projects of the 7th century. Berber culture has been repressed ever since, with several recent violent clashes between Berbers and Arab authorities in Algeria and elsewhere. In Morocco, the Berbers constitute over 35% of the population, and in Algeria, about 20%.
In contrast to past policies, according to a North African affairs expert interviewed by Al-Mustaqbal, Morocco is currently incorporating Amazigh, the pre-Arab language of the region, in the curricula of 354 public elementary schools by 2010. In addition, the newspaper reported, "Morocco organized an Amazigh film festival in June that included 17 documentary pictures on Berber culture, something that reflects the ardent activities in Amazigh art," according to the North Africa expert, George Al-Rassi.
Al-Rassi noted, however, some problems that might arise as the Arab states attempt to reconcile with their pre-Arab native populations.
"The etymological differences of [the] three dialects [of Amazigh] pose the question of which one should be taught...." Al-Rassi noted. Furthermore, "Berbers are divided over [the] issue [of the Amazigh alphabet], and those who advocate the Latin characters want to distance Berbers from the Arab world, even though Amazigh has been heavily influenced by Arabic," Al-Rassi said.
Displaying a certain Arab arrogance regarding the importance of Berber culture to the native North African people, Al-Rassi asked what the practical purpose was of teaching a language spoken only in North Africa. According to the Lebanese newspaper, "Morocco and Algeria should not rush into this project of reviving Amazigh and squander their efforts and resources, but should plan more carefully for the future, Rassi said."
