The Central Shilha belong to a much larger group known as the Shilha Berbers. The Shilha are made up of three main groups of Berbers: the Northern (Rif) Berbers, the Southern (Sousi) Berbers, and the Central (Beraber) Berbers.
The Central Shilha (better known as the Berabers) live primarily in the beautiful wooded High Atlas Mountains of Central Morocco. They also inhabit the Middle Atlas Mountains along the border of Algeria. All of the Central Shilha speak Tamazight; however, many also speak Arabic.
Central Shilha are semi-nomadic shepherds who primarily raise sheep and goats. In the mountains, raising animals is economically more important than farming. The dominant feature of Beraber 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.
The Central Shilha primarily raise sheep and goats, although other domestic animals are also kept. Most have a few mules and donkeys, which are used for transport. Only one tribe, the Zain, raises large herds of cattle.
The Central Shilha move their herds to the warm plains during the winter months, then to higher pastures during the spring and summer months. Depending on their locations in the mountains, some of the tribes only have to move their herds during the winter. Others only migrate during the summer. A third group moves the herds during the winter and the summer.
Although often on the move, none of the tribes are totally nomadic. All of them maintain permanent villages with fortified, community granaries and surrounding farmlands. The villages are never left unattended. A small number of people stay behind to guard the granaries and to plant crops such as barley, maize, wheat, rye, millet, and vegetables.
Many Central Shilha villages are found among the highest hills and are often built partially into the mountainsides. Very few villages have electricity or running water, but most have their own internal means of communication.
Among the Central Shilha, it is common for three or four generations to live in the same dwelling. All of the family members acknowledge a common male ancestor. As members of the family, they are entitled to certain rights and privileges concerning the family heritage. The family structure is somewhat of an authoritarian democracy. While the head of the family is responsible for controlling and administering all household matters, he must come to an agreement with the rest of the family. Banishment from the family is considered the ultimate punishment.
There are some who are making an active effort to achieve recognition of the Moroccan Imazighden identity, but other are happy to live and mix with Arabs.
The Central Shilha are virtually all Muslim; however, their religious practices are based more on traditions and the decisions of the community judges than on the Koran. Their societies are organized around two main systems: Islam and the tribe. However, there are many differences between urban and rural societies. In urban areas, orthodox Islam prevails; whereas, in rural societies, ancient beliefs and customs are intermingled with their Muslim faith.
Most of the Central Shilha have continued in their traditional worship of saints. One group of spiritual leaders called marabouts is considered "living saints." They are believed to possess healing abilities and supernatural powers. Each of the villages reveres one or more of these "saints."
In the eighth century, invading Arabs forced the Berabers to accept Islam. Prior to that time, many of them were Christians. Today, there are a number of Central Shilha believers in Morocco, despite the fact that it is illegal for Moroccan Muslims to convert to Christianity. Much prayer is needed to see the remaining population of Muslims return to the God of their forefathers.
Ask God to grant wisdom and favor to missions agencies currently working among the Central Shilha.
Pray that the laws which restrict the preaching of the Gospel in Morocco will be changed.
Pray for God to anoint the Gospel as it goes forth via radio to the Central Shilha.
Ask the Lord to encourage and protect Shilha believers in Morocco.
Ask God to call forth prayer teams who will begin breaking up the soil through worship and intercession.
Pray that strong local churches will be raised up among the Shilha.
Scripture Prayers for the Berber, Imazighen in Morocco.
Profile Source: Bethany World Prayer Center |
People Name General | Berber, Imazighen |
People Name in Country | Berber, Imazighen |
Natural Name | Imazighen 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 | 2,867,000 |
Population all Countries | 4,781,000 |
Total Countries | 6 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 57 |
People ID | 12217 |
ROP3 Code | 104002 |
ROP25 Code | 309189 |
ROP25 Name | Berber, Shilha |
Country | Morocco | ||
Region | Africa, North and Middle East | ||
Continent | Africa | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | 24 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||
Location in Country | Widespread, especially Middle and east High Atlas Mountains, adjacent valleys to Taza, Rabat area; 1,200,000 in rural areas between Taza, Khemisset, Azilal, Errachidia; 100,000 outside the language area. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Country | Morocco |
Region | Africa, North and Middle East |
Continent | Africa |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 24 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Location in Country | Widespread, especially Middle and east High Atlas Mountains, adjacent valleys to Taza, Rabat area; 1,200,000 in rural areas between Taza, Khemisset, Azilal, Errachidia; 100,000 outside the language area.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.06 %) |
0.07 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
99.73 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.20 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Tamazight, Central Atlas (2,867,000 speakers) |
Language Code | tzm Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Tamazight, Central Atlas (2,867,000 speakers) |
Language Code | tzm Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Tamazight, Central Atlas |
Primary Language: Tamazight, Central Atlas
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1919-2020) |
Bible-New Testament | No |
Bible-Complete | No |
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | God's Story video | God's Story |
Film / Video | Indigitube.tv Video / Animation | Create International |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Tamazight, Central Atlas | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | LUMO film of Gospels | Bible Media Group/LUMO |
Film / Video | Magdalena video | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | World Christian Videos | World Christian Videos |
General | Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video | Faith Comes by Hearing |
General | Scripture Earth Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
Photo Source | Tussna - Wikimedia Creative Commons |
Map Source | People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project. |
Profile Source | Bethany World Prayer Center |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |