Muslim Kabyle peoples of Algeria
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The Kabyles live in the rugged mountains called Kabylia to the east of the Algerian capital, Algiers. They belong to the Berber or Imazighen people groups. Berbers were the original inhabitants of North Africa before the Arab invasion of the region around 1,350 years ago. There are several different Berber people groups scattered across North Africa, though they live mainly in Algeria and Morocco.
Early History of the Kabyles of Algeria
When the Arabs invaded North Africa, they Arabized and Islamized the Berbers, many of whom had been at least nominally Christian as early as the second and third centuries AD. Many Berbers had been martyred for their faith under Roman persecution, well before the Arab conquest. The Kabyle Berbers fled to the mountainous regions of Kabylia and, despite the many centuries of Arab occupation, have been able to keep their language alive by passing it on orally to each generation. They have also kept their traditional clothing (colourful dresses and headwear for the women). Their Christian faith, however, did not withstand Islam, although the Kabyles were very reluctant to become Muslim. The fact that the Bible was never translated into Berber in those early years is a major reason why the Kabyles eventually became Muslim. The Kabyles have been Muslims for many centuries. Christian missionaries came and went without seeing fruit. Some died as martyrs.
Work among the Kabyles of Algeria
In the early 1980s, the Lord started moving among the Kabyles in a new way. An Arabic Christian shared the Gospel with some young Kabyles on a football team. They accepted Jesus and in turn reached out to their people. Others saw dreams and visions. Small house churches began in the mountains. All this took place secretly for fear of persecution from the Muslim population. The churches grew in size and eventually became visible. It is now well known that many Kabyles are Christians. A few years ago the Algerian government even published figures indicating the presence of at least 7,000 Kabyle Christians.
Some Kabyles started translation work and saw the emergence of Kabyle in writing. The first book ever written in the new Kabyle Berber script was the New Testament and the first film ever translated was the Jesus film. Worship tapes in Kabyle now exist. Soon the entire Bible in Kabyle will be printed. The Kabyles are bold people, willing to share their faith. Clearly, a revival is taking place.
An excellent book concerning the early Christians in North Africa is This Holy Seed by Robin Daniel (published by Tamarisk Press in the UK). You can also discover more about Kabylia at the non-Christian website kabyle.com.
Pray for the Muslim Kabyles of Algeria:
* Thank God for the Kabyle Church. Pray through Paul’s prayers in Colossians 1:2b-12, applying them to the Kabyle Church.
* Pray for strengthening of these young but dedicated churches through the various training programmes which have already started.
* Pray for closer and better relationships between church leaders. A promising partnership has already begun and needs to grow.
* Pray for the Kabyle Christians to have a greater vision to reach out to other Muslim people groups in Algeria and beyond. May they take the blessing of Abraham everywhere they go (Gal. 3:8-14).
Background on Algeria (World Factbook)
After more than a century of rule by France, Algerians fought through much of the 1950s to achieve independence in 1962. Algeria’s primary political party, the National Liberation Front (FLN), has dominated politics ever since. Many Algerians in the subsequent generation were not satisfied, however, and moved to counter the FLN’s centrality in Algerian politics.
Intense fighting between 1992-98 resulted in over 100,000 deaths - many attributed to indiscriminate massacres of villagers by extremists.
Longstanding problems continue to face the government, including the ethnic minority Berbers’ ongoing autonomy campaign, large-scale unemployment, a shortage of housing, unreliable electrical and water supplies, government inefficiencies and corruption, and the continuing - although significantly degraded - activities of extremist militants. Algeria must also diversify its petroleum-based economy, which has yielded a large cash reserve but which has not been used to redress Algeria’s many social and infrastructure problems.
Economy of Algeria
Algeria has the eighth-largest reserves of natural gas in the world and is the fourth-largest gas exporter; it ranks 18th in oil reserves. Algeria has decreased its external debt to less than 10% of GDP after repaying its Paris Club and London Club debt in 2006. Real GDP has risen due to higher oil output and increased government spending. There is still high unemployment and low living standards. Structural reform within the economy, such as development of the banking sector and the construction of infrastructure, moves ahead slowly hampered by corruption and bureaucratic resistance.
About Algeria
Population: 33,769,669 (July 2008 est.)
Life Expectancy at Birth: 73.77 years
Ethnic Groups: Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1% - See notes below
Religions: Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1%
Languages: Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects
Literacy: total population: 69.9%; male: 79.6% / female: 60.1%
Ethnic groups Note: almost all Algerians are Berber in origin, not Arab; the minority who identify themselves as Berber live mostly in the mountainous region of Kabylie east of Algiers; the Berbers are also Muslim but identify with their Berber rather than Arab cultural heritage; Berbers have long agitated, sometimes violently, for autonomy; the government is unlikely to grant autonomy but has offered to begin sponsoring teaching Berber language in schools.
welcome to algeria Video
video of the beautiful places in algeria.
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I wish you would stop your propaganda. I am Kabyle and I despise Izlam. Every Kabyle I know feels the same way. Enough of your *?!$%ยง’# !
Azzar
I have to say, that I could not agree with you in 100% regarding an family Ramadan prayer resources | Many languages | http://www.30-days.net, but it’s just my opinion, which could be wrong
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Dear Imazighen and those who misknow them
Imazighen people are native people of North Africa, that is as far as the history goes for more than 4000 years.
We were definitely not Muslims for more than 2500 years, then Islam came along, there was a resistance from the Imazighen, they fought the enemy, then they were defeated, thus surrendered. We all agree on this point. Since then, some were forced to become Muslims some believed in it. That is how we became Muslims.
Kabyle is a dialect of the Tamazight (The Berbers), they are located all over Algeria, but concentrated in the North in the districts of Tiziouzou, Bejaia, Boumerdes, Bouira, Bordj Bou Arriridj, etc.
All the Berbers understand each other at some extent but they always end up understanding each other pretty well after one week only. The accent tends to differ.
The reason been is that the language and the culture were both oppressed and forbidden for many generations. Hoping that one day we can study it normally, write and read it normally revive it to become the language of the world.
You can read more about the Berbers and the Kabyles at http://www.berberosaharan.com, you can also view their handmade ornaments such as Jewellery, pottery, rugs and carpets, etc. You can also buy them off the that website from wherever you are in the wolrd.
Regards
Hacene
Hi Thanks for the information about the berbers in Algeria.
What you didn’t mention is where the berbers come from.
That they never had a written language.
If you believe that Arabs are your enemy, i would suggest you changed your religion and become a christian.
Mohammed… This message is basically to you only because according to your message, I think you are the only one in the world that doesn’t know that Berbers actually have a proper written language called “Tifinagh”.
I am not saying that we are now enemies of the Arabs. What I said is that before 14 centuries ago, North Africa, so called Numidia was inhambited by the Berbers, then when the muslims (Arabs) started to preach Islam around the world, they reached Berber lands, the Berbers resisted, therefore there was so many battles. Yes at that time, they were enemies because they were at war with the Berbers, do you understand.
Who said that we are muslims now?
everyone has the right to choose any religion they want. stop assuming many things.
If we are muslim, it is for god, not for people like yourself who think they are better than the rest of the world.
Who said that the Berbers came from somewhere. Didn’t you hear that the Berbers were the natives of North Africa, the whole North Africa?
Please, I read a bit of history because your knowledge of history of North africa is soooooooo low.
Hacene
i think you need some more information
What about if you give us those information you are talking about, let’s discuss them. Don’t hide them.
Let’s hear what you think is right, and let me know where I am wrong. That is how we learn and that is what this forum for.
we want to preserve our identity ,our culture and our language ,the islam is the first danger that we have to think about ( because of it we almost lost our identity ,our culture …..etc ) so the only resort that we have to use to fight islam is christianity or atheism just to satisfy the spiritual need for the people that need spiritual help ( althought dont beleive in any religion ,,i beleive that a human being needs something to refer to,,,,,,,,,)…i see the spread of christianiy in our region is a good thing to fight islam ..and helps to protect future generations from vanishing in arab culture and their religion..
I knew nothing about Kabyle/Amazign culture and history until I met a very special person who is Algerian and is Kabyle/Algerian. I am amazed at the beauty and nobility of your people and country. My friend is Muslim, but he and I have talked very often about Yeshua (Jesus), christianity, and judaism. I am ethnically a Jew of mixed heritage who believes in the saving power of Yeshua for all people, every tribe, tongue, and nation. I am also amazed to learn that the Kabyles/Amazight are not Arab and were not always Muslim…that many had a Christian heritage and died for their faith at the hands of the Romans within the first few centuries of the common era. I have and continue to learn so much from my friend and my studies of North Africa and especially Algeria and the Kabyles. It has really opened my eyes as an American about the beauty and deep value of other people and their cultures around the globe who are different from me. Thanks so much to Hacine for the information on where to look for and purchase Amazight crafts/products. My friend recently sent me a traditional pink dress with all kinds of colorful/beautiful detail as well as a head scarf and a painting of an Amazigh man. I am so thrilled to have these precious reminders of him and his nation/people…that keeps me on my knees on their behalf. Thanks again for this wonderful website. It is an answer to prayer for me. With much love, prayers, and gratitude, Rina Lucas