Berber, Siliana in Tunisia

Introduction / History

The Amazigh, also known as Berbers, are the indigenous people of North Africa. The very name Amazigh is often translated to mean "free or noble men". There were people from North Africa present in Jerusalem at the day of Pentecost. The church was established among Berbers in the early centuries of Christianity, and some of the great North African church fathers were of Berber heritage.
When Islam swept through North Africa in the 7th century, many pockets of the Amazigh tried to fight the invasion. They resisted Islam's advance ten different times in history, outwardly saying they would become Muslims, but then returning to their villages and refusing to practice the religion. They intentionally built conspicuous white mosques at the top of the mountains to deceive Muslim invaders. As they passed, seeing the mosque in the distance, Arabs would assume the village had already converted and continue their journey.
Early generations kept their Christian heritage in secret and outwardly submitted to Islamic rule. The symbolism of the cross can still be found throughout Amazigh architecture, designs on handmade carpets, and even tattoos on women's faces. Today, however, they have no understanding of their Christian heritage.
Tunisia's first president following French colonization, Habib Bourguiba (1957) worked hard to unify the country. Amazigh villages were traditionally fortified in strong mountain areas. Bourguiba incentivized the Amazigh to abandon their cultural identity in exchange for one "Tunisian Arab" identity. At first, he tried to build cities and communities down in the plains to force integration and to draw the Amazigh out of their strong mountain fortifications. When the Amazigh refused to comply, he burned their books, removed their language from schools, and worked to erase much of the culture.
The 2011 Revolution that ousted the country's second president (Zine El- Abidine Ben Ali) from power sparked a renewal of the Amazigh culture and identity. Renewed pride and freedom to identify as Amazigh has resulted in many clubs, cultural centers, and organizations focused on retaining and building the Amazigh language and culture.
The Amazigh of Siliana live in the mountainous city of Kisra Elaalia in north-central Tunisia. We will refer to them as Siliana Amazigh. Only a few elderly people speak their traditional language; the rest speak Tunisian Arabic.

What Are Their Lives Like?

There are so few Siliana Amazigh, that even in their own part of Tunisia they are outnumbered by the Arab population. They have good relations with their Arab neighbors as well as the other Amazigh communities. However, their exposure is almost entirely limited to their Tunisian Arab neighbors who share the town with them.
Their primary livelihood comes from farming, and some possess cattle. Some work in private professions.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Siliana Amazigh believe in one God, whom they call Allah (Arabic for "the God"). At judgment day, all people will be judged for their deeds and, if their good works outweigh their bad, then Allah will welcome them into paradise. If not, then they will be sentenced to eternal hell. They are expected to follow the five pillars of Islam: prayer five times a day, fasting from dawn to dusk during the month of Ramadan, giving to the poor, and, if possible, a pilgrimage to Mecca, to be done at least once in their lifetime (Hajj).
Specifically, Siliana Amazigh follow the Ibadi school of Sunni Islam. Their denomination distinguishes them from the majority of Tunisian Muslims who follow the Maliki school. Ibadi Muslims believe that the real Muslim is the one who practices, not just in word, but also in deed. They are considered peaceful people who generally do not look down on other Muslims. Other Muslim denominations, conversely, may look down on and sometimes persecute Ibadi Muslims. The rest of Tunisian Muslims, of the Maliki school, see the Ibadi Amazigh as outsiders.
Muslims follow the teaching of Mohammad, who lived in the 6-7th centuries in Saudi Arabia.
Regarding Jesus, they believe that he was a prophet, but that his teachings are inferior to those of Mohammad. Furthermore, the Bible is far less accurate than the Koran.

What Are Their Needs?

There are very few opportunities to hear and respond to the gospel in Tunisia. That country has almost no Christ followers to take the only savior to the Siliana Amazigh people.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to thrust out dedicated workers to the Siliana Amazigh.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to give dreams and visions to family leaders among each Amazigh group.
Pray for Amazigh disciples in Tunisia to make more disciples.

Text Source:   Joshua Project