To know the tradition of Morocco, it is very important know its folks.
The Amazigh or Berber individuals are the true indigenous folks of North African international locations and the vast majority of their populations reside in Morocco and Algeria. Many historians imagine the Amazigh first got here to Morocco throughout the second or third millennium having migrated from the close to Center East. A lot of their folks’s historical past and perception methods had been preserved via oral custom, in songs and poetry.
Amazigh means “free folks” in Tuareg. It was the Romans who gave the Amazigh the identify “Berber” that means “barbarian”. Nonetheless in the present day, the identify of those folks is controversial and plenty of Amazigh reject the time period “Berber” and want to be referred to as by their identify of origin.
For hundreds of years, the Amazigh resisted numerous invasions and when the Arab Muslims conquered North Africa, the Amazigh withdrew deep into the mountains or the deserts in Morocco refusing to be colonized. They’re robust and resilient individuals who have managed to protect their tradition and identification. Right this moment, the Amazigh make up half of Morocco’s whole inhabitants. As you be taught extra concerning the Amazigh additionally, you will be taught extra details about Morocco tradition.
Amazigh Tribes in Morocco
There are effectively over 100 totally different Amazigh tribes and tribal teams that inhabit totally different areas all through Morocco. The three dominant teams in Morocco are the Riffians, the Zayanes, and the Cheluh/Shilhah. Every tribe has its personal distinctive customs and cultural practices.
The Riffians stay within the northern area and converse a dialect referred to as tarafit. They’re the smallest Amazigh inhabitants within the nation and are well-known for his or her bravery and braveness as warriors. They stay an agricultural life-style.
The Zayanes stay within the Center Atlas within the area referred to as Khenifra. They converse the tazayit dialect that varies from area to area.
The Cheluh/Shilhah are of the southern Atlas, round Souss Valley and the Anti-Atlas Mountains. They’re the biggest Amazigh tribe in Morocco. They converse the tashlheit dialect that has been utilized in many well-liked Amazigh movies. A few of these tribal teams are nonetheless semi-nomadic. This tribe can be identified for performing conventional Amazigh music and dances.
Language
The Amazigh language is spoken by a big majority of Amazigh dwelling in Morocco. There are six main dialects of the language and of those, three are spoken primarily in Morocco: tarafit, tazayit and tashelhit.
In 2011, the Amazigh language turned acknowledged as an official language of Morocco and is now being taught in colleges across the nation. A brand new written language was fashioned with a totally new alphabet referred to as tifinagh.
Faith
The earliest Amazigh tribes believed and practiced animism, the assumption that each one dwelling issues together with crops and animals have a soul and spirit, that every part is linked. The invasion of the Arabs within the 7th century compelled many Amazigh to transform to Islam. Over the centuries, the Amazigh tribes have adopted totally different beliefs and spiritual methods. Many Amazigh practiced Judaism and Christianity. Right this moment, a terrific majority of Amazigh are Sunni Muslims.
Tradition and Customs
Steeped in custom, Amazigh tradition and customs fluctuate from group to group. Regardless of their variations, what ties them collectively are their shared values. The three fundamental values being the significance of kinship (tribal solidarity), connection to the land, and their language as a supply of identification.
A big majority of Amazigh nonetheless stay in distant mountain villages with out modern-day conveniences like electrical energy and operating water. Many households survive by elevating livestock and agriculture. Most Amazigh proceed to journey by donkey utilizing the animal to move items. Males are accountable for transporting and promoting livestock on the native markets whereas girls handle the home.
Amazigh Ladies in Morocco
Amazigh girls are an integral a part of tribal societies. Traditionally, the Amazigh positioned emphasis on the matriarch and robust feminine management roles. Among the many tribes, essentially the most broadly identified determine was Dhabba Kahena, the ancestral queen mom of the Amazigh.
Right this moment, girls are nonetheless holding down the fort and are accountable for caring for the family. They do the cooking, cleansing, tending to the animals and milking the goats, fetching water, gather wooden for the cooking and deal with the kids.
Amazigh girls have vastly contributed to their tribal financial system by weaving textiles and creating pottery. These artistic endeavors have additionally supplied independence for widows enabling them to earn a dwelling.
Artwork and Music
The Amazigh are spectacular artisans who make every part by hand; they weave their tales into rugs and create lovely textiles equivalent to blankets and shawls. They dye and spin their very own wool, and embroider their clothes with colourful, intricate designs.
Amazigh girls enhance their fingers and toes with henna artwork. Traditionally, many Amazigh girls had tattoos, however in Islam, it’s forbidden so over time, tattooing has change into practically extinct. In addition they make pottery for use for cooking, storage, and ornament.
Music can be an vital a part of the Amazigh tradition. Music is performed throughout celebrations and festivals, the most well-liked devices being ginbri or loutar, a fretless, plucked lute with three strings discovered principally within the Center Atlas Area. A bendir is a snare body drum. A tende is a drum made with mortar and pestle. The Qaraqib is a big steel castanet.
Fashionable Amazigh musicians are Ammouri Mbarek, Najat Aatabou and Jubantouja, a contemporary Amazigh rock band.
Right this moment’s Challenges for the Amazigh
These days, the Amazigh are preventing for the popularity and preservation of their cultural identification. Many Amazigh activists are directing their power in the direction of problems with land rights, exploitation of pure sources, sovereignty, and discrimination.
Till lately, the Amazigh folks have fought to have the educating of their language, Tamazight, in colleges throughout Morocco, and in 2016 this was achieved. Now, future generations will be taught their language of origin and proceed to assist protect their cultural heritage.
In recent times, the Amazigh flag has change into extra seen together with Amazigh radio packages and movies. Many activists are nonetheless working to realize recognition and acceptance into fashionable Moroccan society.
Regardless of centuries of challenges and hardships, the Amazigh have managed to protect their cultural heritage and identification.
The Amazigh proceed to endure their independence and stay a major a part of the historical past and tradition of Morocco.
