Description
The purpose of this course is to provide students with insight into the specifics of Berber culture and institutions, starting with a background survey covering the origins, distribution, and common history of the Berber peoples of North Africa up to medieval times. The focus then shifts to Morocco, covering events from the Almohad period up to the present time, with emphasis on Berber resistance during the colonial period, together with an analysis of present problems confronting the Amazigh community in this country, with special reference to the Middle Atlas region. Time is also devoted to the study of the various Berber-speaking areas of Morocco, Berber toponyms, and English translations of oral texts (folk-tales, proverbs, epic and lyrical verse, riddles, etc.)