Berbers

Berbers, the general name usually given to the tribes inhabiting the mountainous regions of Barbary and the northern portions of the Great Desert. It is derived, according to Barth, either from the name of their supposed ancestor, Ber, which we recognise in the Lat. A-fer, an African, or from the Greek and Roman term Barbari. The name by which they call themselves, and which was known to the Greeks and Romans, is Amázigh, Mazigh, Mazys, &c. according to locality, and whether singular or plural. These tribes have a common origin, and are the descendants of the aboriginal inhabitants of Northern Africa. They belong to the Hamitic family, and though they have been conquered in succession by the Phœnicians, Romans, Vandals, and Arabs, and have become, in consequence, to some extent a mixed race, they retain in great part their distinctive peculiarities. Till the 11th century, the Berbers seem to have formed the larger part of the population inhabiting the southern coast of the Mediterranean, from Egypt to the Atlantic Ocean; but, on the great Arab immigrations which then took place, they were driven to the Atlas Mountains, and to the desert regions where they now live. In Tripoli, the allegiance they pay to the Turks is little more than nominal; in Algeria, where they usually are termed Kabyles (K'bila = 'union'), they long remained unconquered by the French; and in Morocco, where they are called Shelluh, they are only in form subject to the sultan. The Berbers occupying the desert, who are called Tuareg or Tawarek, by the Arabs, have become much mixed with the negro race. The number of the Berbers is estimated at between three and four millions. They are of middle stature, sparely but strongly built, and the complexion varies from reddish to yellowish brown. Their manners are austere, and in disposition they are cruel, suspicious, and implacable. They are usually at war either with their neighbours or among themselves, and are possessed of a wild spirit of independence, which makes it impossible for them to unite for any common purpose. They live in clay huts and tents, but in their larger villages they have stone houses. They have herds of sheep and cattle, and practise agriculture. The mines of iron and lead in the Atlas are wrought by them, and they manufacture swords, guns, and gunpowder. They formerly professed the Christian religion, but are now bigotted adherents of Islam. A Dictionnaire Français-berbère was prepared by Brosselard and Joubert (1844). See also Renan, La Société Berbère; Jules Lionel, Races Berbères (1894); and René Basset, Contes Berbères, with list of books on the Berbers and their language appended (1887). See AFRICA.