Imazighen Berber in Morocco


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Central Shilha belong to a much larger group known as the Shilha Berbers. The Shilha are made up of three main groups of Berbers: the Northern (Rif) Berbers, the Southern (Sousi) Berbers, and the Central (Beraber) Berbers.

The Central Shilha (better known as the Berabers) live primarily in the beautiful wooded High Atlas Mountains of Central Morocco. They also inhabit the Middle Atlas Mountains along the border of Algeria. All of the Central Shilha speak Tamazight; however, many also speak Arabic.

Central Shilha are semi-nomadic shepherds who primarily raise sheep and goats. In the mountains, raising animals is economically more important than farming. The dominant feature of Beraber life is transhumance. This means that they transfer their livestock from one grazing ground to another, alternating from the highlands to the lowlands, with the changing of seasons.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Central Shilha primarily raise sheep and goats, although other domestic animals are also kept. Most have a few mules and donkeys, which are used for transport. Only one tribe, the Zain, raises large herds of cattle.

The Central Shilha move their herds to the warm plains during the winter months, then to higher pastures during the spring and summer months. Depending on their locations in the mountains, some of the tribes only have to move their herds during the winter. Others only migrate during the summer. A third group moves the herds during the winter and the summer.

Although often on the move, none of the tribes are totally nomadic. All of them maintain permanent villages with fortified, community granaries and surrounding farmlands. The villages are never left unattended. A small number of people stay behind to guard the granaries and to plant crops such as barley, maize, wheat, rye, millet, and vegetables.

Many Central Shilha villages are found among the highest hills and are often built partially into the mountainsides. Very few villages have electricity or running water, but most have their own internal means of communication.

Among the Central Shilha, it is common for three or four generations to live in the same dwelling. All of the family members acknowledge a common male ancestor. As members of the family, they are entitled to certain rights and privileges concerning the family heritage. The family structure is somewhat of an authoritarian democracy. While the head of the family is responsible for controlling and administering all household matters, he must come to an agreement with the rest of the family. Banishment from the family is considered the ultimate punishment.


There are some who are making an active effort to achieve recognition of the Moroccan Imazighden identity, but other are happy to live and mix with Arabs.
What Are Their Beliefs?

The Central Shilha are virtually all Muslim; however, their religious practices are based more on traditions and the decisions of the community judges than on the Koran. Their societies are organized around two main systems: Islam and the tribe. However, there are many differences between urban and rural societies. In urban areas, orthodox Islam prevails; whereas, in rural societies, ancient beliefs and customs are intermingled with their Muslim faith.

Most of the Central Shilha have continued in their traditional worship of saints. One group of spiritual leaders called marabouts is considered "living saints." They are believed to possess healing abilities and supernatural powers. Each of the villages reveres one or more of these "saints."


What Are Their Needs?

In the eighth century, invading Arabs forced the Berabers to accept Islam. Prior to that time, many of them were Christians. Today, there are a number of Central Shilha believers in Morocco, despite the fact that it is illegal for Moroccan Muslims to convert to Christianity. Much prayer is needed to see the remaining population of Muslims return to the God of their forefathers.


Prayer Points

Ask God to grant wisdom and favor to missions agencies currently working among the Central Shilha.
Pray that the laws which restrict the preaching of the Gospel in Morocco will be changed.
Pray for God to anoint the Gospel as it goes forth via radio to the Central Shilha.
Ask the Lord to encourage and protect Shilha believers in Morocco.
Ask God to call forth prayer teams who will begin breaking up the soil through worship and intercession.
Pray that strong local churches will be raised up among the Shilha.


Scripture Prayers for the Berber, Imazighen in Morocco.


Profile Source:   Bethany World Prayer Center  

People Name General Berber, Imazighen
People Name in Country Berber, Imazighen
Natural Name Imazighen Berber
Pronunciation ee-MAH-zah-yen BUR-bur
Alternate Names Amazigh; Bekhti; Beraber; Berber; Berraber; Blue Berber; Central Shilha; Imazighen; Middle Atlas Berber; Shilha; Tamazight
Population this Country 2,867,000
Population all Countries 4,781,000
Total Countries 6
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 57
People ID 12217
ROP3 Code 104002
ROP25 Code 309189
ROP25 Name Berber, Shilha
Country Morocco
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 24  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Widespread, especially Middle and east High Atlas Mountains, adjacent valleys to Taza, Rabat area; 1,200,000 in rural areas between Taza, Khemisset, Azilal, Errachidia; 100,000 outside the language area.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Morocco
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 24  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Widespread, especially Middle and east High Atlas Mountains, adjacent valleys to Taza, Rabat area; 1,200,000 in rural areas between Taza, Khemisset, Azilal, Errachidia; 100,000 outside the language area..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Berber, Imazighen in Morocco Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.06 %)
0.07 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
99.73 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.20 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Tamazight, Central Atlas (2,867,000 speakers)
Language Code tzm   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Tamazight, Central Atlas (2,867,000 speakers)
Language Code tzm   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Tamazight, Central Atlas
Photo Source Tussna - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Bethany World Prayer Center 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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