Amongst the peoples of the vast desert country of Libya, are the Imazighen who have a distinct heritage and culture. Although their culture appears to be similar to that of the Arabs, they have their own customs and traditions and also they have their own distinct dialects of Tamazight, the generic name given to the language of the Imazighen. In the vast part of the country, parents, especially women who never leave their village for work, speak or at least understand Tamazight.
The term Berber, also widely used to describe the Imazighen, is derived from terms given centuries ago by Romans and Byzantines to describe those in this area who didn’t speak Greek. Imazighen peoples are the original inhabitants who were living in this area Northern Africa, or Tamazgha, for centuries prior to the arrival of the Arabs in the seventh century AD. Although resisting Islam, since the 13th century many Imazighen professed the Islamic faith, which has strongly affected their lives.
It is hard to know how many Libyans are Imazighen. Estimates vary greatly from 250,000 to 20-25% of the Libyan population. Government policy has stressed use of Arabic and the integratration of the Imazighen peoples with others in the country, suppressing their language and culture. However, there are indications that the Imazighen still are proud of their identity and heritage.
There are several groups of Imazighen in Libya: The Imazighen of the mountains south and west of Tripoli - the Jebal Nafusa; Those living in the north-west, the Zuara Berbers; and in the West by the border, where Libya, Tunisia and Algeria intersect, in Ghadames, the Ghadams Imazighen; those in the Sawknah, and Awjilah areas. The Tuareg or Kel Tamahaq are also a related people group to the Imazighen.
Identity/Location
People Name: Libyan Imazighen (plural) Amazigh (singular)
Primary Language: Tamazight
Ethnologue Codes: JBN, AUJ, GHA, SWN, ZOU
Regional dialects/accents: Three main dialects are spoken: 1. Tawjilit, spoken in the oasis of Awjilah and Jalo in eastern Libya. 2. Tanefusit, spoken in the Nefusa moutains and the coastal city of Zouara. 3. Tarquet, spoken by Kel Tamahaq (Tuareg) in the south and south-west.
Population
Total People: Difficult to estimate. May number in total anything from 250,000 to 1 million.
Urban Percent: 86.8% Libya (LDM, 98)
Urbanised: 86.8% for Libya as a country - could be a lower percentage amongst the Imazighen, some still have strong connections to rural communities.
Other: Some estimates would state that 80-90% of the population remains ethnically Imazighen.
General Description
The Imazighen are the original inhabitants of Tamazgha or North Africa. They have been gradually influenced by Arab culture since the 7th century AD. The Imazighen are proud of their distinct heritage and culture. Since they have become Muslims, much of their culture resembles their Arab neighbours, but they do have some different traditions which are maintained. The name Imazighen means the Free or Noble ones.
Language/Literacy Information
Adult literacy: 77.2%
Primary language: Tamazight (spoken in the homes, but not an official language for education or otherwise).
Second language: Arabic
Third language: Italian
Other: The strongest tie that binds the people together is their language. Tamazight is only a spoken language. There is an ancient script, which may still be known by a few.
Economics
GNP per capita: US$6125 (1994)
Occupations/Income sources: In the rural areas many live off the land - through agriculture and raising livestock. In the Awjilah men work in oil fields. Agricultural work is also a widespread occupation. The traditional Berber economy has struck a balance between farming and grazing of livestock, and the majority of the village remains in one place throughout the year, a minority accompany the flocks on the circuits of seasonal pastures. Some commute to other places in search of work. A great source of income is the remittance of income from members of the family living elsewhere, in Tripoli or in other coastal towns. Agriculture survives in most areas, though has become increasingly concentrated in growing cereals and orchard crops.
Products: Vegetables, olives, figs, palm dates, in areas of better water supply: wheat and barley. Figs and apricots are famous in the Jabal Nafusa.
Trade Partners: Neighbouring Libyan peoples.
Unemployment: 20-30% (IMF, Reuters 1999)
Inflation: 15-20% (1999)
Modernisation/Utilities: The discovery of oil has introduced major beneficial changes, though these impact more the bigger cities. Some sources indicate that rural electrification is proceeding rapidly.
Living Conditions/Community Development Status
Food: In rural areas vegetables and other crops are grown. Italians introduced Polenta (porridge of corn semolina) and noodles. In the Sahara the staple food is dates, butter, camel, goat or sheep meet, and camel and goat milk.
Clothing: Women, especially older women, may wear traditional white cloak, sifsari, when out in public places.
Life expectancy: 63.1 (1996).
Health care: The Libyan government continue to use its oil income to improve the health and welfare of all Libyans. The number of doctors and dentists per capita has increased. Health care facilities dispense free medical care. It has been claimed that health services suffered under the sanctions of the 90s.
Water supplies: Drinking water in Tripoli and Benghazi is of good quality. Efforts have been made to increase access to safe water supplies. A massive irrigation project in the Sahara is helping to provide water for rural irrigation.
Energy/Fuel: Towns have access to electricity services.
Other: Libyan citizens are able to purchase basic food supplies for a minimal amount of money, this is sponsored by the government.
Society
Family structures: Each tribe is made up of at least 4 different levels of organisation: The nuclear family, the extended family, the larger family groups or sub-tribe and tribe. The family and extended families are represented by the eldest male. The sub-tribe and the tribe have chosen or acknowledged a head for the tribe. An element of social support and economic backing comes from the tribe together with a feeling of shared territory. A persons idenity originates powerfully from his tribal and family name, which declares ethnic origin, historical status, and possibly current political strength.
Neighbour relations: The Berbers interrelate well with other groups around. Berbers in the Jebal Nafusa are separate from the Arabs, but intermarried with Arab tribes elsewhere in Libya.
Rule/Authority/Selection: The berbers identify with their families, clans and tribe. Traditionally Berbers have recognised private property and the poor often worked the lands of the rich. Otherwise they are noted to be egalitarian. The country was economically and socially structured on Qabila (tribal) liness with Lahmah (clans) and extended family sub-clans. Each tribe had a defined territory and a specific history of alliances and friction with adjacent groups. During Italian colonial rules the legal and economic basis of society was changed. None the less, tribal affiliation has social importance in marriage, kinship and status. In current times government appointed officials have the most authority.
Social habits: Tribal traditions are strong. The still-practiced custom of marriage between cousins brings a sense of closeness of those families involved. The relative isolation of the Berber communities has meant not only a survival of their language and close kinship ties, but also quite distinct urban forms and housing styles. The women used to live secluded and were inside most of the time, only socialising on the rooftops of their houses, and not associating with other tribes. Social changes have taken place and now some women do go out and work outside the home. The women have a voice in the choice of a spouse for their children. Girls marry when they are about fourteen and the men when they are around 25.
Cultural Change: ( ) Static (X) Slow (X) Medium ( ) Rapid
Self Image: (X) Threatened ( ) Depressed (X) Prestigious/Proud
Judicial system/Trial punishment: Formerly the head or shaikh would act for his group in dealings with tribes or clans of a similar kind and with the outside world. This is less the case in modern society, since 1969 the govenment has not given recognition to the tribal units.
Crisis/Conflicts - History/Status: The original inhabitants of North Africa were Berbers, even before the Phoenicians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Arabs and Europeans settled there. The Jabal Nafusa participated in the revolts against Arab rule, the most ferocious of which took place in 896 AD. More recently the Berbers looked for the creation of a semi-suonomous Berber province. They were a favoured group under the Italian occupation and hoped that on independence their cultural separateness would be acknowledged and their language given equal status with Arabic. But the rise of Arab nationalism forestalled this and the revolution of 1969 set back Berber aspirations. For some time the government refused to admit there was any such group as the Berbers. Despite the rapid economic changes the Berbers still keep a sense of cultural separateness and even superiority. There is a movement among some for more recognition of their culture and language. There is a sense of repression due to lack of freedom of the press and prohibition of publications in Tamazight, as well as writings about their history and culture.
Foreign Relations: Libya has had strained foreign relations with the non-Arab world, and in recent times has been fostering and agenda amongst the African nations.
Political situation: The government of Libya operates under a socialist system, but also their famous political leader, Colonel Muamar Qadhafi, has ultimate power, and the country functions like a police state.
Celebrations: Muslim holidays, weddings (varied traditions depending on the region). At weddings the feast may last for up to seven days, during which the bride and groom are not seen together. The wedding celebration finishes with at least three days of dancing, with the men dancing together; then one after a girl is sent into the room where the men are present, to lead the men in dancing. Dances also draw a village together and provide a focus for social life.
Other specific festivities: Asn’negh meaning our day - the annual anniversary of the Libyan Tmazight speakers. The celebration of this event started in 1995, (2945 Tmazight calendar) in the Libyan Tmazight city of Zuara. This day is remembered by Libyan Tmazight speakers inside and outside Libya. Ghadames holds a festival mid-October, which is a celebration of the local berber heritage in that region.
Art Forms: The older generation have long been masters of the art of story-telling, and their tales serve the double purpose of entertaining adn instructing the young in the art of living. The Berbers have a natural gift for poety. Analogies are drawn spontaneously from nature. Their music is distinctive, with complex and progressively developing rythmic structures. The modern banjo and guitar have only partially replaced traditional stringed instruments.
Media (Radio/TV/Newspapers/Films/Videos/Recordings): There are no media productions in their language.
Press: The press in Libya is highly censored by the government.
Television: A number of households have television (115 per 1000 habitants in 1995), and a good number of houses also have satellite television dishes to enable reception of various satellite television transmissions.
Children/Youth
Population under 15 years: 47% (1998)
Education/Type of Schooling: In 1987 education was free for all levels, and univeristy students received substatial stipends. Elementary education is obligatory (5-14 years), theoretically preceeded by two years in a kindergarten. It is followed by secondary and vocational education. Daily schedules are heavy and the programmes are strongly linked in with the offical ideology of the state. Some Libyan students study abroad.
Labour/Tasks: In rural areas children will be required to help around the home and in the fields.
Greatest needs: Finding employment after education, desires for economic well-being and stability for the future.
Religion
Islam is adhered to by nearly all the Libyan Imazighen. A lesser percentage are practising Muslims.
Religious practices/ceremonies: The majority of the Berbers belong to the Kharejite or Ibadi sect of Islam, which emphasises the equality of belivers to a greater extent than the Malacca rite of Sunni Islam which is followed by the Arab population. The Kharejites believe than any Muslim could become Caliph as long as he was an example of virute and fidelity towards the Koran and the Sunna. They broke away and split again, giving rise to the Ibadite sect. Contrary to Muslim custom, it is not oriented towrard Mecca. There are links between the Kharejite Berbers of Tunisia and Libya (intermarriage takes place).
Redemptive Analogies/Bridges: Story telling with rural Berbers.
Spiritual Climate/Openess: Libya as a country is very closed, even though Islam is the state religion, secularising forces are strong. The people are generally friendly and open to discuss spiritual matters. The normal questions arise, as Christian faith is equated with the immoral West, which is considered Christian. Also there is quite some misunderstanding that Christians believe in three Gods (God the Father, Mary and Jesus). This has been reinforced by what is seen on television.
History of Christian Presence Amongst This People Group
A Christian presence began in the early centuries of the church. Simon of Cyrene was called upon to carry the cross of Jesus. At Pentecost there were Libyans present in the crowds who heard the Gospel. It is believed that there were a number of Christians in Libya. Ancient sites give evidence of church buildings and a Christian presence. Through this time however, the Bible was never available in any of the Berber languages. The church was weakened by schisms and heresy, as well as by the Vandal and Byzantine invasions. When Islam was brought to Libya many succumbed to its claims. The Berbers are thought to have been more resistant however, taking refuge in mountainous terrain and resisting the Arab conquest. At the end of the twentieth century there remained to be any known believers amongst the Libyan Berbers. Communication and follow-up is difficult in a situation of intense scrutiny.
Current Church Development
Christians: Unknown
Scriptures available: Bible (Arabic - Modern Standard); none available in any Libyan Imazighen dialects yet.
Other Literary Resources: Arabic books and materials numerous, none in Libyan Tamazight dialects yet.
Christian Radio: No Christian radio in their dialect, but may be able to pick up radio in other North African Tamazight dialects.
Recordings Available: No
Videos: Jesus film available in some North African Tamazight dialects, but not specifically in any of the Libyan Imazighen dialects.
Satellite Media: Sat 7 (Satellite program, designed for Christian audiences in the Middle East) and other satellite channels are reaching this area.
Response to Christians: Very few people have been exposed to the Gospel message. Open to discuss spiritual issues.
Attitude to Christian faith: Many have a wrong picture of Christianity, thinking that everyone from the West is Christian. Also citing immorality in western society as Christian.
Statistics