Citing early traces of the Paleolithic[1] period in Yemen, Syria, Palestine, Jordan and Africa, it is worth mentioning the Egyptian influence[2] as it has the oldest traces of the first human industry which go back to more than 40 thousand years ago[3].
Situated in North Africa, preserving most of its geographical features throughout history; traces of Mesolithic[4] industry, normally influenced by Egypt, go back to more than ten thousand years ago.
Around five thousand years ago, Berber[5] people settled in Morocco, starting their first activities of agriculture, animal domestication and pottery industry.
The Berbers also inhabited Libya, Algeria and parts of Egypt. Nevertheless, there are theories that relate Berber origins with Egyptians.
Origins of Berbers:
In 987 A. D., Ibn Al Nadim, or Abū al-Faraj Muḥammad ibn Isḥāq al-Nadīm, an Iraqi bibliographer and biographer, compiled his famous reference “Al Fihrist/ The Index”, in which he included historical events, biographies, literary criticism, science, social customs, traditions, genealogy… etc.
Ibn al Nadim stated in his “Index” that Africans are divided into seven main races, and that Berbers are one of them.
Ibn Khaldun (1332–1406), the Arab biographer and founder of sociology, stated that Berbers are descendants of “Ham” son of “Noah”.
Ancient scientists and biographers tried their best in the light of the tools of their era. However, science proves that Berbers carry the genes of Egyptians, Ethiopians and Somalis, along with some Eurasian genetic traces, respectively[6].
Religion:
Unfortunately, Berbers did not document their beliefs. Notwithstanding, we can trace some beliefs through tombs discovered and the account written by Herodotus.[7]
Another Egyptian influence appears in the beliefs of Berbers. They were close neighbors, hence, no wonder that Berbers borrowed some deities from Egyptians, notably; Isis, Set, Ament and Neith.
The graves of the primary people and their ancestors indicate that the Berbers and their lineages, believed in an afterlife. The primeval people of northwest Africa buried corps in petite pits. When they comprehended that bodies buried in indiscreet hovels were excavated up by wild beasts, they began to bury them in profounder ones.
Later, they buried the dead in caves, tumuli, tombs in rocks, knolls, and other types of catacombs. They progressed from primitive constructions to much more intricate ones, such as the pyramidal tombs spread throughout Northern Africa[8] which again reflects the Egyptian influence.
The righteousness of being buried in such a tomb seems to have been kept for those who were most significant to their societies.
Berber Influence:
Berbers mingled with different cultures; Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Spanish, Mauritanians. They interacted with different cultures, influenced by them and influencing them.
In the 3rd century B. C., Berbers founded their kingdom in Mauritania, comprising Morocco. Tunisia and Algeria.
Christianity came to North Africa under the reign of the Roman Empire.
After the Islamic conquest to North Africa, between 642 to 669, the majority of Berbers embraced Islam. Later on, they formed an Islamic army which helped in invading Spain.
Berbers now are part of the Arab and Islamic world, yet, they are proud of their heritage, language and history. As a result to the political and social neglect, Berbers revolted many times and they were suppressed fiercely. Their last movement was “Rif Movement”[9] in Morocco. The movement aimed at reviving the Berber culture, language along with political empowerment and enhancing their living standard.
[1] https://www.worldhistory.org/Paleolithic/
[2] https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-hccc-worldhistory/chapter/the-rise-of-egyptian-civilization/
[3] https://human.libretexts.org/?title=Courses/Lumen_Learning/Book:_Early_World_Civilizations_(Lumen)/05:_Ch._4%0AAncient_Egypt/05.1:_The_Rise_of_Egyptian_Civilization#:~:text=The%20Late%20Paleolithic%20in%20Egypt%20began%20around%2030%2C000,including%20Merimde%2C%20El%20Omari%2C%20Maadi%2C%20Tasian%2C%20and%20Badarian.
[4] https://www.britannica.com/event/Mesolithic
[5] https://www.britannica.com/topic/Berber
[6] https://www.igenea.com/en/ancient-tribes/berbers
[7] https://www.worldhistory.org/herodotus/
[8] https://adf-magazine.com/2019/10/algerias-ancient-pyramid-tombs-still-shrouded-in-mystery/#:~:text=The%2013%20monuments%2C%20whose%20square%20stone%20bases%20are,royalty.%20Some%20are%20as%20tall%20as%2018%20meters.
