Do you know the origin of the Berbers?
It is a mixture of Vikings from Northern Europe with Africa. The Romans had invaded all of North Africa, driving the Berbers from the fertile lands. They were thus pushed back into the desert and the mountains. Once the Romans defeated these lands, the Arabs of the Arabian Gulf offered the Berbers more freedom in exchange for their reconversion to Islam.
Today, Berbers represent 65% of the Moroccan population. Recognition of Berber culture is very recent (since 1998, the Berber flag has been blue for the sea, yellow for the desert, green for the mountains). Since 2004, the Amazigh language has been taught in schools. They have their own alphabet.
Berber craftsmanship is recognized in different regions of Morocco:
- pottery from Chefchaouen and Taroudant,
- Tiznit jewelry,
- Ouerzazate carpets,
- textiles from Marrakech,
- the Berber souks of Taza.
Beyond the beauty of Berber jewelry, you should know that jewelry plays a central role in Moroccan society and daily life. They represent the social class of the person who wears them. They are loaded with symbolic and protective values (semi-precious natural stones, hand of Fatma, etc.).
