Azul! I'm often asked who or what are Berbers, Chleuh, or Imazighen. Here is a taste of the life of Berbers in Morocco's Atlas Mountains in Northwestern Africa, their home for over 5,000 years since before the Roman and Islamic Empires that influenced the region to this day. Moroccans speak Arabic and French but the population is about 80% Berber and 20% Arabic. Berbers speak a Semitic language that sounds similar to Aramic, Arabic, and Hebrew and has been influenced buy each, including French and Spanish from neighboring regions. Where the Amazigh came from before settling in Africa is still a mystery and as a child I was often told Germany and Ireland, and after hearing Gaelic, I believe it could be possible. I've also been told that our origins are from Yemen and that would make sense since everyone essentially came to the world from the "craddle of civilization" located in the Middle East.

Still, the simple and strong culture of the Imazighen, as we like to be called, has survived and sustained with honor and pride! The large majority of Berbers are Muslim, but before Arabs brought the knowledge of Islam, Judaism was actually the first monotheistic religion to reach the modest people. Consequently, there are some Jewish Berbers like there are Jewish Arabs or Jewish Iranians. Isn't history fun and interesting? Berbers have always been proud of their language and traditions. Luckily these Africans were able to preserve their identity and customs to share with the world in this day and age!

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A gathering of friends of Riad Philanthropic enjoying a Beano on a plateau in the middle Atlas Mountains Morocco