Berber in Algeria


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Islam (Sunni)
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Berbers are divided by subgroup, yet the generic term that they prefer is Imazighen, meaning, "Free men." Freedom and independence is a high goal of these people, who are much better known as Berbers, a term meaning "barbarians" slapped on them by the Roman Empire. Today the term Berber is so well-engrained that people seldom know who they are without using this derogatory term. The Imazighen Berbers live primarily in the beautiful, wooded High Atlas and Middle Atlas Mountains of Central Morocco. However, a large number of them also live on the slopes of the Atlas Mountains in eastern Algeria, near Morocco's border. All of the Berber speak Tamazight; however, many also speak Arabic, Algeria's official language.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Imazighen Berbers in Algeria are semi-nomadic shepherds. In the mountains, raising animals is economically more important than farming. The dominant feature of Berber life is transhumance. This means that they transfer their livestock from one grazing ground to another, alternating from the highlands to the lowlands, with the changing of seasons. In the Berber family, as many as three or four generations live together in one small room, sharing everything. The father is the head of the family, and ancestry is traced through the males. The family structure is somewhat of an authoritarian democracy. While the father is responsible for controlling all household matters, he must obtain the agreement of the rest of the family as well. Banishment from the family is considered the ultimate punishment.


There are some who are making an active effort to achieve recognition of the Moroccan Imazighen identity, but other are happy to live and mix with Arabs.
What Are Their Beliefs?

Although the Imazighen are almost completely Muslim, they still retain many of their traditional beliefs, such as saint worship. They usually celebrate the Muslim holidays, visiting friends and neighbors during these festive times. Weddings are lengthy celebrations that often last several days.


What Are Their Needs?

Imazighen Berbers need the chance to put their identity in Jesus Christ and enjoy his blessings in this life and in the life to come. Someone needs to go to them with the life-changing gospel.


Prayer Points

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


Scripture Prayers for the Berber in Algeria.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Berber
People Name in Country Berber
Pronunciation ee-MAH-zah-yen BUR-bur
Alternate Names Amazigh; Bekhti; Beraber; Berber; Berraber; Blue Berber; Central Shilha; Imazighen; Middle Atlas Berber; Shilha; Tamazight
Population this Country 1,737,000
Population all Countries 4,834,000
Total Countries 6
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 35
PeopleID3 12217
ROP3 Code 104002
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 West Atlas moutains area, adjacent valleys to Taza, Rabat area, south near Morocco border   Source:  Ethnologue 2010
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 West Atlas moutains area, adjacent valleys to Taza, Rabat area, south near Morocco border.   Source:  Ethnologue 2010
Primary Religion: Islam (Sunni)
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.09 %)
0.10 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
99.90 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Tamazight, Central Atlas (1,737,000 speakers)
Language Code tzm   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Tamazight, Central Atlas (1,737,000 speakers)
Language Code tzm   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Tamazight, Central Atlas
Photo Source Tussna - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source Bethany World Prayer Center  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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