Wednesday 31 August 2011

Berber Political Movements In Libya & North Africa




The term Berberism is generally used to describe 'the political movements of the Berber communities in North Africa during the 20th century'. Berberists are the Berber activists who campaign for greater cultural and political freedom for the Berbers or Imazighen of North Africa.  More about the history of Berberism in Libya, Algeria, Morocco and the Sahara at: 

http://www.temehu.com/imazighen/berberism.htm



Saturday 27 August 2011

Berber Language Will Be A Key Issue In New Libya!


CNN: the Editor Peter Fragiskatos, in an article published by CNN in its website (see link below), asks if New  Libya will bring new freedom for the  Berbers of Libya. In an attempt to answer the question, he points out that:

"Over the past few months, they [the Berbers] have secured control over a wide area near the Tunisian border, a strategic position that helped open the way toward Tripoli .  .  .  Libya's Berber minority .  .  .  is engaged in a cultural revival. The teaching of Berber language courses and the airing of radio broadcasts .  .  .  are now openly practised and Berber activists are adamant about preserving their newfound freedom. How this will play out is anybody's guess. What is clear is that language rights will be a key issue going forward not only in a post-Gadhafi Libya, but also in Morocco and Algeria, where much larger Berber communities live."

Read full article at: