Tidikelt Tamzight Berber in Algeria

The Tidikelt Tamzight Berber have only been reported in Algeria
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Tidikelt Tamzight are one of many groups of Berbers. The Berbers are a North African people group who were conquered by Muslim invaders in the seventh century. The name Berber, which is derived from the Latin word "barbarian," was given to them by the Romans in the third century A.D. Today, the term 'Berber' refers to any native speaker of one of the Berber languages. Most refer to themselves as the Imazighen, which means "men of noble origin." Berbers are generally bilingual, speaking both their Berber dialect and Arabic. The Tidikelt Tamzight Berbers have two dialects but it is a dying language; most speak Algerian Arabic instead. Arab Muslims conquered the Berber homeland between 670 and 700 A.D. However, their influence was limited and the Tidikelt Tamzight and other Berber tribes have managed to sustain and preserve their own language, culture, customs, and social organization. The Tidikelt Tamzight Berbers live mainly in Algeria's Tamanrasset Province.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Berber dress is very similar to that of the Arabian community. The men wear the traditional djellaba cloak, which is made of cotton with wide sleeves and a hood. They also wear cotton turbans or caps. For the Berber, life revolves around important ceremonies such as births, marriages and deaths. Many rites of passage are important parts of their culture as well, such as the first haircut and circumcision for boys. The most elaborate of all is the marriage ceremony. The Tidikelt Tamzight, like other Berbers, live in a society that is male-dominated. The line of descent is traced through the fathers and all inheritances are passed down through the males.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Although they accepted Islam as a new religion, the Tidikelt Tamzight Berbers also maintained their pre-Islamic cultural and ritual traditions. The acceptance of Islam and the adoption of Arabic ways never completely erased Berber culture. Although they are nominally Sunni Muslims, most Tidikelt Tamzight have little knowledge of the practices of the Koran and other dimensions of Orthodox Islam. For example, Berber men often use verses from the Koran as part of their protective amulets. For historical reasons, Berbers are more likely to accept Christ than Arabs, who hold Islam as a central part of their identity.


What Are Their Needs?

Tidikelt Tamzight Berbers need the chance to put their identity in Jesus Christ and enjoy his blessings in this life and in the life to come.


Prayer Points

Pray for Tidikelt Tamzight Berbers to put their faith and hope in Christ, paving the way for a Disciple Making Movement. Pray for a spiritual hunger among Tidikelt Tamzight Berbers that will lead them to the cross and the empty grave. Pray for workers to go to the Tidikelt Tamzight and find persons of people who will welcome them into their communities with the gospel of peace.


Scripture Prayers for the Berber, Tidikelt Tamzight in Algeria.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Berber, Tidikelt Tamzight
People Name in Country Berber, Tidikelt Tamzight
Natural Name Tidikelt Tamzight Berber
Alternate Names Tidikelt Berber; Tit; Tit Berber
Population this Country 1,100
Population all Countries 1,100
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 15473
ROP3 Code 110042
ROP25 Code 301088
ROP25 Name Berber, Saharan
Country Algeria
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 15  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Tamanrasset province: Tidikelt, Salah area, and Tit south.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Algeria
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 15  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Tamanrasset province: Tidikelt, Salah area, and Tit south..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Islam
Religion Subdivision: Sunni
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.01 %)
0.03 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
99.97 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Copyrighted © 2024  MohamedHaddad - Shutterstock  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source Bethany World Prayer Center  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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