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Berbers' Amazigh language becomes mainstream

by Claire Gorman and Sylvia Smith

12-10-2008

The Berbers of North Africa are the region's original indigenous people. But their language - commonly known under the umbrella title of Amazigh - has not been the lingua franca or commonly spoken language since the Arab invasion in the 7th century.

When the Arabs came to Morocco from the Arabian peninsula, they subjugated the Berbers and imposed their own language upon them. Amazigh was completely marginalized and not even written down. But the language is currently undergoing a remarkable transformation and resurgence in Morocco.

Under orders from King Mohammed VI, Morocco is recognising and encouraging Amazigh. Not only is there Amaziah television programming but a law ensures that every public school must be teaching the language by 2010.

From rock inscription to mainstream typography: Amazigh language on municipal lamp post

However, this change of heart brings its own problems. The imminent prospect of Amazigh being taught in schools now sees academics working hard to compile text books using the mystical signs and symbols of the Touareg. Previously these alphabet symbols were found largely on rock engravings. Already a considerable number of textbooks have been printed.

Standardised
The move into the mainstream saw the creation of royal institution that brought all the top Amaziah researchers under one roof. But, as Amazigh artist and philosopher, Abdullah Aourik points out, this think tank has decided on one standardised language instead of the current three dialects - a change that he views as dangerous to the continuing existence of Amazigh.

"Today unfortunately with the Royal Institute, they started trying to make the standardisation. It means that you use the same words to all of them. That is very dangerous because they can kill these old languages."

Promoting Amazigh through hiphop

Hip-hop
Young Moroccans are taking a different approach to the use of Amaziah. Cutting edge and street-smart RAP2BLED is promoting the language through hip-hop. The songs canvas subjects such as unemployment, drugs and the emancipation of women. Aziz, or Fatman as he is more commonly known, is the singer.

"My mother and grandfather don't know any Arabic...Before they couldn't watch television, read a newspaper. They hadn't got a clue what was going on in the world. They didn't know anything.

But now there is a TV channel in our local dialect and a newspaper. But our aim is to put the language on the map by fusing it with hip hop. More than 60 per cent of young Moroccans only listen to rap and western music. So we thought why not fuse Berber with that and make it really accessible."

 

Tags: Amazigh, Arabic, Berbers, Morocco, North Africa

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