Discover Berber culture

The history of the Berbers is vast and rich. The exact origins of the Berber people remain a mystery to this day! One thing is certain, however: the Berbers are mentioned in ancient texts from the Roman Empire and the Phoenicians. What's more, history has taught us that the Berbers took root in North Africa and were present in Morocco long before the Arabisation and Islamisation of the country.

In reality, the term "Berber" refers to various heterogeneous ethnic groups who have many similar practices in terms of culture or politics, for example. The Berbers, however, prefer the term "Amazigh", which means "Free Man" and is perfectly suited to describing this nomadic people living in the mountains or in the desert.

In Morocco, there are so many Berber tribes that it is impossible to name them all, but some great Berber dynasties have made their mark, such as the Berber tribe of the High Atlas. In fact, Berbers make up around 65% of the Moroccan population! However, Berber was only recognised as an official language in the constitution in 2011.

Since then, the Berber flag has been visible everywhere in Morocco, as has its language, Tifinagh, which you will find on road signs. The Berber flag is made up of four colours: blue (the sea), green (the mountains), yellow (the desert) and red, which represents the blood of the Amazigh people.

The culture of the Berber people in Morocco is particularly notable for its unshakeable bond with the land, its relationship with the sacred, its friendliness and hospitality, and its strong sense of community.

Some Berber traditions are still very much alive in Morocco, and are particularly visible on special occasions such as weddings, births and religious festivals. But if you're not lucky enough to attend a ceremony, you can also discover them in everyday life. Among the traditions that persist are traditional clothing, henna or saffron make-up, traditional songs and music, moussems (regional celebrations) and, of course, handicrafts.

Berber handicrafts play an important role in Berber life, and their ancestral know-how is recognised throughout the country. During your trip to Morocco, you'll have plenty of opportunities to admire and buy superb handicrafts. Pottery, ceramics, wool weaving, metal and silver work to make magnificent Berber jewellery, sublime Berber carpets and many other objects. So don't forget to save a little room in your suitcase!

It's hard to imagine a trip to Morocco without sampling Berber cuisine. The culinary specialities of the Amazigh tribes are at the heart of Moroccan traditions and daily life, both in the big cities like Marrakech and in the small, isolated villages of the Atlas mountains.

Be careful not to confuse Berber cuisine with Moroccan cuisine! Berber cuisine is the traditional ancestral cuisine of North Africa. Moroccan cuisine, on the other hand, obviously includes Berber dishes, but also dishes with Arab and Jewish influences.

Unlike many of the world's cuisines, which combine several influences in their dishes, Berber cuisine has remained 100% authentic and has drawn its inspiration from no other community. This can be explained by the way of life of the Berbers, a nomadic people who lived in isolated regions that were difficult to access. Berber cuisine was born from their own recipes, using ingredients they could find and grow.

Berber cuisine is therefore rather modest. It includes breads and cakes such as agrhoum, couscous, tajine, harira (a traditional Berber soup), as well as the famous mint tea, also known as the "Berber whisky"!