Political and cultural representations in Kabylia : The denial of the Algerian regime

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Political and cultural representations in Kabylia : The denial of the Algerian regime

The examples of Matoub Lounès and Ferhat Meheni of the MAK (Movement for the Autonomy of Kabylia)

29/05/2010 - 11:30 mis a jour le 29/05/2010 - 16:36 par Brigitte Jakob

What would be the meaning of the word "representation" in a Kabylian context ?

The context in itself is definitely important as it defines the very nature of the word representation in a whole. The Kabylian context is defined by the repressive authority of a central government that claims to be democratic but that is in fact a repressive dictatorship as far as culture and political representations are involved. What I mean is that representation in a democratic system is ipso facto legitimated by the system itself as it allows the freedom of speech thus representation.

In a dictatorship context, representation is by definition a concept that cannot be included in its globality. Therefore, it becomes obvious that any human group in quest of recognition has to endowed itself with this representation. The main argument used to challenge the idea of autonomy of Kabylia is the one of representation meaning when groups organize themself to talk in the name of the people and claim for more freedom and representation, they are thus mentioned as illegal representators. One has to understand that such assertion cannot be held for reality because it is the fruit of a democratic mind that cannot be applied in a Kabylian context and to Kabylian groups of people struggling for recognition.

Political representation in the Kabylian context, the MAK (Movement for the Autonomy of Kabylia) and its leader Ferhat Mehenni.

The MAK is often accused by its opponents as illegally representing the people of Kabylia. Once again such perception admits that the Algerian regime is a democratic one ; Which we know is not true. If we take a glance at the historical and political events in Algeria for the past five decades, we realize that the country is indeed paved with injustice : unfair decisions taken by a minority for the advantage of a the minority. The two revolts known as Tafsut Imazighen ( also called : Kabyl Spring- 1980) and Tafsut taberkant ( also called : Black Spring- 2001) against the discriminative Algerian policy toward Kabylia and its people are the most obvious examples. In order to be able to set things and work for the advancement of democracy in Algeria, the MAK has no legal frame in which it can operate. Therefore and in order to initiate the march toward democracy, the MAK has no other choice than making decisions that may sound undemocratic for right now and if considered in a democratic environment but those decisions are totally legitimate considering the undemocratic background of the Algerian regime. Men and women therefore can be called to lead for a time until the legal frame is set to organize official functioning. Vote, consultation cannot be organized until the opponents to the regime can fully be recognized as official by the regime as well as the international scene and thus obtain the needed frame to function totally .

The MAK has to be perceived in the reality of the Kabylian context which is the reality that opposes Kabylia and Algeria. Therefore the MAK cannot be accused of taking over a democratic system because the MAK was formed as an opposition to the repressive Algerian regime and in the context of an anti-democratic system.

The MAK has no other way to force the Algerian regime to acknowledge it as a political representative of the people of Kabylia. So far the regime of Algiers acts blind and deaf. Because acting politically against the MAK would mean they acknowledge their effective existence, power and significance as an actor in political life. It would officialize the very idea of representation of Kabylia.

Cultural representation in the Kabylian context, the example of Matoub Lounès

If Algiers has so far ignored the actions of the MAK and the restless activity of Ferhat Mehenni, it has taken different options of consideration as far as culture is involved. The positions taken by the regime has been clear regarding the definition of culture. Right after the independence in 1962, everything was shaped according to the arabo islamic ideal thus denying the berber heritage. The kabyl culture, the kabyl language were denied the position of choice they should have taken in the shaping of the national culture and identity. Tafsut Imazighen in 1980 ( Printemps Kabyle) has been the expression of the people of Kabylia’s refusal to be denied. Everyone remembers the violent repression the regime exercised on the youth willing to follow the thought of Mouloud Mammeri as a leader of the berberist movement. By acting so, the regime has ackowledged the berber culture as an existing one and has defined it as a danger against its plan to shape Algeria as an Arab country. The regime has authorized itself to eliminate every action or individue that challenge the "official" culture set by the regime. The murder of Matoub Lounes in 1998 is nothing but the official denial of the Berber heritage to be full part of the Algerian national culture. The recognition in 2002 of Tamazight as national language has been a political choice to lock and seize further claims from the Kabyls. By murdering Matoub, they have litteraly close the mouth of the Kabyl people.

The attitude of denial of the Algerian regime toward the existence of the people of Kabylia as an entity

All in all we see that the Algerian regime has two ways of denying the existence of the Kabyl entity. First of all by ignoring the possible political representation of the people of Kabylia. This can be called : Decisions without representation. In 1773, when the colonists in Colonial America organized rebellion against the British Crown, it was because of the same problematic question of representation.... Taxations without representation. We see how representation is in fact important when willing to set a democracy. Within the actual Algerian political organization, the Kabyls are NOT represented. The RCD and the FFS are official political parties that do not stand and cannot stand in the name of the Kabyl people for the interest of the Kabyl people.

Considering the Algerian Constitution that reads :

« Political parties cannot be organized on a religious, linguistic, racial, sex, corporation or regional basis. […] Any obedience of political parties, of any form, to foreign interests or foreign parties is forbidden. Political parties cannot use violence or pressure, whatever the nature and forms of it. »

makes it clear that within the constitution, the Kabyl people has no way of being heard not to talk about being represented as an entity with its own linguistic and regional realities. Nevertheless, the people of Kabylia has the right to be heard. Therefore it become logic that some groups like the MAK stands up for the rights of the people. Then, the brutal denial of the culture that is sadly illustrated by the murder of Matoub Lounes. Matoub can be considered as the voice of the Kabyl culture that claims laicity and non arabic roots for the people of Kabylia. He has been murdered because he was challenging the very essence of what the Algerian regime had defined as cultural image of the country. By eliminating the voice of the people that stands different to what is defined to be Algerian, the Algerian regime has pushed the doors opened to settle its policy of islamization and arabization of Kabylia. One may claim the fact that Tamazight has been recognized as national language is a sign of cultural recognition. If considering how this decision has been implemented as far as being introduced in the educational system, it is obvious that the Arabic language comes first and is the priority of the regime as a premium tool to eradicate kabyl culture through linguistic assimilation. By burrying the cultural heritage, the Algerian regime’s intention is to eliminate the very essence of what a political representant could claim. Knowing this mischival attitude, it becomes a duty of the conscient man or woman to fight on a political level so as to restore the emprisonned culture.

Brigitte JAKOB

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13 Messages de forum

Political and cultural representations in Kabylia : The denial of the Algerian regime 8 juin 2010 19:06, par Yugarithen

« Political parties cannot be organized on a religious, linguistic, racial, sex, corporation or regional basis. […] Any obedience of political parties, of any form, to foreign interests or foreign parties is forbidden. Political parties cannot use violence or pressure, whatever the nature and forms of it. »

- The Algerian regime is an outlaw (out of its own law), why ? Because it is religious (islamist), arabist, misogynist, vassal of the Arab-islamist imperialist powers (Egypt and Saoudia Arabia), violent, totalitarian, oppressive, repressive, and terrorist. So, according to this constitutional text, the Algerian regime must be urgently dismantled. Explanation :

In Algeria, law, whether local or international, is one thing, and reality is a different thing. Algeria as a whole is undergoing an Arabic-Islamic colonialism. I think what should be stressed is that all the Amazigh peoples composing the Algerian territory (country) are under the yoke of Arabic-Islamist colonialism.

But what must be urgently stressed is that the Kabyle people and nation are undergoing a cultural and racial genocide under the indifferent eyes of the international community. This is the real truth, everything else is mere literature.

Thank you for your time and understanding,

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- Political and cultural representations in Kabylia : The denial of the Algerian regime 8 juin 2010 23:15, par Muhand Aksil
  
  Thanemirt a Yuguthen,
  
  ceci est une traduction de ton texte pour qu’il soit plus acessible :
  
  « Les partis politiques ne peuvent être organisés sur une base religieuse, linguistique, raciale, de sexe, de la corporation ou d’une région. [...] Toute obédience des partis politiques, de toute forme, à des intérêts étrangers ou des étrangers est interdite. Les partis politiques ne peuvent pas recourir à la violence ou la contrainte, quelle qu’en soit la nature et les formes. »
  
  Le régime algérien est hors ses propres lois. Pourquoi ? Parce qu’il est religieux (islamiste), arabisant, misogyne, vassal des puissances impérialistes arabo-islamiste (Égypte et Arabie Séoudie), violent, totalitaire, oppresseur et terroriste. Ainsi, selon ce texte constitutionnel, le régime algérien doit être rapidement démonté. Explication :
  
  En Algérie, la loi, qu’elle soit locale ou internationale est une chose, et la réalité en est une autre. L’Algérie dans son ensemble fait l’objet d’un colonialisme arabo-islamique. Je pense que ce doit être souligné, c’est que tous les peuples amazighs qui composent le territoire algérien (pays) sont sous le joug du colonialisme arabo-islamiste.
  
  Mais il faut de toute urgence souligner que le peuple et la nation kabyle sont l’objet d’un génocide culturel et racial, sous les yeux indifférents de la communauté internationale.
  
  C’est la vérité, tout le reste est littérature.
  
  Merci pour votre temps et votre compréhension,
  
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- Political and cultural representations in Kabylia : The denial of the Algerian regime 10 juin 2010 15:49, par frontliner
  
  Straight-forward - Indeed, the international community in indifferent, but our(Kabylian) resistence is acrually well understood and encouraged - That’s not neutrality, at all. Our self-defense is praised.
  
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Political and cultural representations in Kabylia : The denial of the Algerian regime 13 juillet 2010 17:02, par Sentinelle

Understanding Self-Determination : The Basics

BY KAREN PARKER

DEFINITION OF SELF-DETERMINATION

The right to self-determination, a fundamental principle of human rights law,(1) is an individual and collective right to "freely determine . . . political status and [to] freely pursue . . . economic, social and cultural development." (2) The principle of self-determination is generally linked to the de-colonization process that took place after the promulgation of the United Nations Charter of 1945. (3) Of course, the obligation to respect the principle of self-determination is a prominent feature of the Charter, appearing, inter alia, in both Preamble to the Charter and in Article 1.

The International Court of Justice refers to the right to self-determination as a right held by people rather than a right held by governments alone. (4) The two important United Nations studies on the right to self-determination set out factors of a people that give rise to possession of right to self-determination : a history of independence or self-rule in an identifiable territory, a distinct culture, and a will and capability to regain self-governance.(5)

Read more by clicking here :

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- Political and cultural representations in Kabylia : The denial of the Algerian regime 3 août 2010 19:56, par frontliner
  
  Sentinelle -
  
  Glad to see you monitoring this site... I want to bring attention to the following simple yet game-changer sentence you write :" The right to self-determination is of PEOPLEs, not only States " -
  
  Consequently, I urge all Kabylians and others to build a solid relationship and get involved in any organisation (including States and Governments) which defends and promotes their(peoples’) genuine historical heritage, identity, values... and interests.
  
  In the case of the Kabylian People, the GPK is the only such organization.
  
  At this point in time, the algerian organization(accepted as government and state) by the international community, thank to Kabylian work, is but another organization which does not protect, promote, our identity, heritage and interests as a PEOPLE. It imposes its agenda and control/administration on us, only because we fail to do it ourselves.
  
  In 1948, there wasn’t enough people to populate the State of Israel, today - as small as it is in term of territory and population NONE can impose on it or any Jewish Israeli anything whatsoever !
  
  It is also absolutely necessary to the KDS, who are involved or just acknowledging the algiers mafia, that the state they form would cramble instantly without them - Nobody, not even the muslems recognize it !
  
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Political and cultural representations in Kabylia : The denial of the Algerian regime 13 juillet 2010 18:02, par Jerjer

Self-determination and Arab imperialism

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Yet another reminder of the role of Arab imperialism in suppressing the legitimate right to self-determination of native peoples in North Africa and the Middle East.

Don’t Call Me Berber (Amazighe)

Written by Adam Gonn

Published Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Note : Berber is the name given to the inhabitants of North Africa by Arab invaders ; their own term is Amazighe, which means free people.

The Amazighe have been living in North Africa for nearly 4,000 years. Early Berber states, which predate the arrival of the Arabs to the region in the seventh century, were known as Mauritania and Numidia.

Until their conquest by Muslim Arabs, most of the Amazighe were Christian, and a sizable minority had accepted Judaism. Between the 11th and 13th centuries, the two great Amazighe dynasties, the Almoravids and the Almohads, controlled large parts of Spain, as well as north-west Africa.

With time even these dynasties disintegrated and the Amazighe of the plains of North Africa were gradually absorbed by the Arabs, while those who lived in inaccessible mountain regions, among them the famed Atlas Mountains, remained more independent.

When the French and the Spanish occupied much of North Africa, it was the Amazighe of these mountainous regions who offered the fiercest resistance. In more recent times the Amazighe, especially those of the Kabylia (Amazighe dominated areas), assisted in driving the French from Algeria.

Today, there are an estimated 23 million Amazighe, with the largest populations in Morocco and Algeria, in addition to smaller numbers in Tunisia, Libya and Egypt.

The connection between language and identity is very strong among the Amazighe and they take great pride in their own language, Thmazight.

The Media Line (TML) spoke to Dr. Amar Almasude, an Amazighe born in Morocco, at Cappella University in Minneapolis to get some more insight on the question of language.

According to Almasude, the language is the very essence of being Amazighe, as, for example, one would regard oneself as English because one speaks English, or Iranians who refer to themselves as Persians because they speak Farsi. This is why one of the main sources of friction in Morocco, where some 75 percent of the population is Amazighe, the official language is still Arabic and in schools the teaching is conducted in Arabic as well.

The preference for Arabic has several reasons - Arabic is the language of Islam and 98% of Moroccans today are Muslims. Despite the fact that most Amazighe were originally Christian, today most of them are Sunni Muslim.

Morocco is member of the Arab League, and as such the government is pushing for the country to be a Muslim Arab country and not an Amazighe country.

In March 2000 the Amazighe Manifesto was published by leading members of the Amazighe community, in order to find a basis for discussion to ease friction between the Amazighe and the Moroccan government.

The document outlines the situation of the Amazighe in Morocco and their feeling of having to be ashamed of their cultural heritage - the word berber derives from the word barbarian - while being forced to learn the ways of their Arab countrymen.

Almasude told TML that during his school days the students used to be beaten for speaking Tamazight in class.

The manifesto ends with nine requests in order to improve the status of the Amazighe. The list of requests starts with a call for a national debate on the different ethnic groups in Morocco and their history, since, according to the manifesto, the Amazighe identity was suppressed by the Moroccan government after the end of colonialism.

There are also several requests regarding Tamazight, the national Amazighe language, that it be recognized as an official language and as such be noted in the country’s constitution. The manifesto points out the central role of the language in the Amazighe culture.

"This is because they are Amazighe thanks to their language not to their race. They are completely aware of the fact that whoever among them exposes his language to loss is doing the same to his Amazighe existence," Almasude says.

There is also a request for economic compensation for the exploitation of the Amazighe since the rule of the French protectorate in 1912, occasioned by their long war against the colonizers and their economic marginalization. They regard this as the main cause behind their so-called "cultural retardation" and the dwindling of their political role in the country.

Almasude says that today the situation has improved and Tamazight is being taught in schools and there are several Amazighe political organizations.

"Perhaps one day if the political reforms in Morocco continue there might one day be an Amazighe nation," he says.

Copyright © 2007 The Media Line. All Rights Reserved. Source

Posted by News Service at 4:30 AM Self-determination and Arab imperialism

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- Political and cultural representations in Kabylia : The denial of the Algerian regime 19 juillet 2010 15:45, par frontliner
  
  Wow Adam !
  
  What are your sources ? why 4000 years, and not at least 45,000 or earlier ?
  
  No Arabs didn’t call us Berbers, it’s the Romans, and that occured in the 5th century, for the simple alliance with the Nordic Barabarians, i.e Scandinavians. By barbarian is not meant without language or savage either, but who did not speak Greeck, and who did not subscribe to the platonic idea of the eternal father - Edward Gibbon explained it at length.
  
  So, the term was not used to designate all north Africans at all, since it is in north Africa where the justification, explanation and extraction of a modern Roman doctrine (Catholocism) was done - As you know, by someone who was versed in Amazigh, Greek and Latin, and who identified himself as his father, An African(Augustine), and not his Itanian settler mother(Monique) - In Souk-Ahras, his family was a land owner of prominant/wealthy family.
  
  Paradoxally where, the 1st protestant movement was born as well, which brought about the commonly used (yes misunderstood) notion of ecularism. The term was applied to the Slavic Clans in constant battle with roman forces at first before being applied to the clans in the eastern Atlas highlands, not far from Carhage(African capital of Roman Province) from which they were attacked, that is Kabylia indeed, which expands beyond its current days limits, to include the Chaoui land in the east and all the highlands westward past Algiers.
  
  The terms Cabalas (Conspirators) or Barbarians(non-Greek-Speakers) where used to designate the same People interchangeably, depending whether the speaker or writer was Spanish, French, Italian or Roman, Greek. Then, just like now, it is only the exposed plains that assimilate to any invader be it Turk, French or neo-baathist or mohamadian. In fact, Gibbon himself refers to Mohamed, the prophet of the Arabs, as a Barbarian.
  
  The truth is that the neo-Mohamadans, engaged in terrorism, plan to restore their acquisitions from India to Spain, and tho so-called western world, does not care as along as, commerce is not disturbed - particularly that of non-renewable comodoties - Gibbon would call that decadence, and it is indeed, decadence - And one for which the "west" will pay a lot, because commerce is people and territory -And both will be denied to them, not only in north africa, but throughout Africa. Rhe West and particularly the US, will have to deal with another billion or so enemies within a decade or so, if a change of course is not engaged immediately.
  
  The only place where liberal democrac is tolerated is Kabylia, a terroritory denied to the islamists or jealous mohamadans, and when that falls, the ripple-effect will be sensed throughout the continent - Until now, Kabylia and those it inspires are the only break applied to the process - For how much longer, is the million dollar question.
  
  From a 3rd party, perspective, the attitude of the so-called "free world" makes at times, wish they(mohamadans) succeed, as to put an end to the western attitude, arrangance and stupidity - In my view, they will fall and assimilate, the same way they did before Rome, i.e. with the winner. Kabylia is Israel are the last places where the doctrine itself is rejected, but that won’t last unfortunately. One da America will wake up and hear salam america coming from Asia, Africa and Europe.
  
  Kabylia will not suffer of it, as our traditions are used to overcoming them,for 15 centuries now, and Mohamadans don’t tolerate high altitudes. Then, you either are a mountain man and you survive, or ware a hijab for women, a skirt for men, and sing dixie in washington, dc.
  
  Cheers.
  
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  - Political and cultural representations in Kabylia : The denial of the Algerian regime 22 juillet 2010 00:52, par Sentinelle
    
    I agree with you, the fall of Kabylia under the yoke of mahomadan tyranny will sound the death knell of the whole western world and civilisation !
    
    We hope the west, which is absorbed by savage capitalism, will wake up before it’s too late !
    
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    - Political and cultural representations in Kabylia : The denial of the Algerian regime 22 juillet 2010 01:49, par frontliner
      
      We hope the west, which is absorbed by savage capitalism, will wake up before it’s too late !
      
      Ouch.... where did you come up with this one ?
      
      Adam, all directions diregulation and anarchy has nothing to do with capitalis, whatsoever...
      
      I think that there may be some confusion betweem unregulated capitalism, and control. etc.
      
      Though not sufficient, it is a necessary condition for prosperity - an indenspensable ingredient to happiness.
      
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      - Political and cultural representations in Kabylia : The denial of the Algerian regime 1er août 2010 04:29, par frontliner
        
        appiness as in "life, liberty and the persuit of haBiness.... Joke for you sentinell : "Can I bark here ?" asked chief-tango next to UN building in Manhattan. "Sure as long as you don’t bite anyone !", replied the COP !
        
        The west ? They sell the weaponery to this mafia paid with money from stolen goods(oil) - In all western countries, that’s against the law, yet governments do it or allow it to be done. The Mullahs regime shoots on thousands of green Iranians, and what does wasington do - restraint Israel from shelling the regime’s nukeBuildings... Between Statesmen of the 1700s I defend, and the current chewing gums, an abiss... I have sworn alligence to the document coposed by the 1st ones, and it pains me to have to pain any tax whatsoever to the latter - One corruption scandal after another. The system is F’d up !
        
        Sending these lines from Washington - I would b gone without that constitution - But don’t you worry,I have a copy !
        
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Political and cultural representations in Kabylia : The denial of the Algerian regime 22 juillet 2010 00:40, par Sentinelle

Q&A : The Berbers

For centuries Berbers have fought to prevent their language and culture from being swamped by Arabs. Most numerous in Morocco, they are scattered across nine countries. Their voice has been most loudly heard, amidst outbreaks of violence, in Algeria.

Q : Who are they ?

The Berbers are a non-Semitic people who since prehistoric times inhabited the Mediterranean coastline from Egypt to the Atlantic. They dominated North Africa until it was conquered by Arabs in the 7th century. Ethnically, a majority of Moroccans and Algerians are Arabicised Berbers. Today it is more language and culture that set Berbers apart. Berber speakers account for some 50% of Moroccans and 30% of Algerians.

Q : Where does the name come from ?

One theory derives ’Berber’ from Barbaros, ancient Greek for ’Outsiders’.

Berbers call themselves ’Imazighen’ (Free), plural of ’Amazigh’. They call the Maghreb ’Tamazgha ’, or Land of the Imazighen.

Q : What do they speak ?

Tamazight belongs to the Afro-Asiatic family and is related to ancient Egyptian and Ethiopian.

The Moroccan government wants Tamazight taught in all schools within 10 years. It is recognised as a national language in Mali and Niger.

In 2003 the Algerian authorities also made Tamazight a national language. But Berbers there want it to have equal status, as an ’official language’, alongside Arabic.

Q : Where do they live ?

Berbers are found in Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, Egypt, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mauritania.

In Morocco and Algeria, they form groups with different dialects.

Moroccan groups (Berber names in brackets) : Shleuh (Ishalhiyan), in the High Atlas, Tashalhit dialect ; Imazighen (Imazighen), Middle Atlas/Eastern High Atlas, Tamazight dialect ; Rifans (Irifiyan), Northern Morocco, Tarifit dialect.

Algerian groups : Kabyles (Taqbaylit), Kabylie region, Kabyle dialect ; Chaouia (Ishawiyan), Eastern Algeria, Tashawit dialect ; Mozabites (Imzabiyan), northern edge of Sahara, Tamzabit dialect ; Tuaregs (Tamachaq), extreme south, Tuareg dialect.

Q : Where are the other populations ?

Libya : In Jabal Nefusa, Zwara and Ghadamis.

Tunisia (just 1% of the population) : In Djerba, Tataouine, Metmata and east of Gafsa.

Egypt : In the Siwa Oasis near the Libyan border.

Tuareg : Some 600,000 Tuareg Berbers live in Mali and 400,000 in Niger. Tuareg Berbers also found in Algeria, Libya, Burkina Faso and Mauritania. Their total is put at 1.5-2.5 million.

Canaries : The indigenous people were Berber. The language survived till the Spanish invasion in the 15th century. The first World Amazigh Congress was held in Gran Canaria (Tafira in Berber) in August 1997.

Kabyle Berbers : Key dates : 1963-65 : Berber rebellion, March-April 1980 : ’Berber Spring’, September 1994-April 1995 : School boycott, June 1998 : Singer Matoub Lounes killed, April 2001 : Wave of unrest starts, June 2001 : Citizens’ Movement issues demands,

Q : Who are the Kabyle Berbers ?

This group is the most active in promoting Berber identity. Kabylie region, east of Algiers, is home to some 5 million Berbers.

It comprises the provinces of Tizi Ouzou, Bejaia and Bouira. Some 50% of neighbouring Setif, Bordj Bou Arreridj and Boumerdes provinces are Kabyle speakers. About half the 3-million-strong population of Algiers are Kabyles.

Q : Why conflict with the government ?

Whereas Algeria’s constitution says Islam is the state religion and Arabic the official language, the Kabyles see their cultural and linguistic heritage in pre-Islamic North Africa.

After Algeria gained independence in 1962, the Kabyles confronted the new government.

The Socialist Forces Front (FFS), founded by war hero Hocine Ait Ahmed, led a two-year rebellion from 1963 to 1965.

Q : What was the Berber Spring ?

In March 1980 police stopped writer Mouloud Mammeri from entering Tizi Ouzou to give a lecture on ancient Berber poetry.

Students took to the streets in Kabylie region and later in Algiers. On 20 April security forces stormed Tizi Ouzou university.

These events, known as the ’Berber Spring’, centred on the language issue, which has remained a focus of discontent.

The Berber Cultural Movement organised a rally in 1990 in Algiers to call for language recognition. The same demand was behind a school boycott in the Berber region from September 1994 to April 1995. Who was Matoub Lounes ?

Matoub Lounes was a singer who asserted the linguistic and cultural rights of the Kabyles.

He was killed in an ambush in June 1998, shortly after his latest album parodied the national anthem. His death sparked weeks of violent protests.

Q : What is the Citizens’ Movement ?

In April 2001 a student was killed in police custody in Tizi Ouzou, sparking riots which spread to other provinces.

Over 120 people are said to have died in clashes which continued for much of 2001.

A ’Citizens’ Movement’ emerged in the Berber provinces. In June 2001 the movement met in El Kseur (Bejaia Province), and drafted the El Kseur Platform. It listed 15 demands, including full recognition for Tamazight.

In 2004 Algerian Berbers threatened to boycott the presidential election over the language issue.

BBC Monitoring, based in Caversham in southern England, selects and translates information from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages.

Q : What is the ANAVAD ?

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- Political and cultural representations in Kabylia : The denial of the Algerian regime 28 juillet 2010 14:39, par Sentinelle
  
  Here is a video that shows some faces of the Kabyles who are still hostages of the slaughtering tyranny of islamic nazism :
  
  Kabyle pride
  
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- Political and cultural representations in Kabylia : The denial of the Algerian regime 28 juillet 2010 19:25, par frontliner
  
  This is innacurate because incomplete - Omissions are source of falshood. Greeks referred to All Africans as Lybians at one time, then separated Ethiopians from Lybians laters, during the war between Black Africans(south) and North Africans.
  
  The word Barbarian meaning those tribes and peoples without Centralized Power vested in one Man who would have inherited his authority from God. Thus the defintion of the word as well as as the concept of the eternal father... Thus the origins of old testament, as in the statement of a testimony - most of which is a list of such witnessess and the path back to moses, a tribesman in old Egypt - from that 2nd and 3rd testament(jesus and Mohamed) - One for the philistines and the other for the syrians and arabians.
  
  The term took another meaning with more emphasis on belief-system(religion) later, and were included in the barbarians those whose conduct and organization did not include a King, a temple and the practice of worship of the authority of the eternal father through the King, who would have inherited his powers from the eternal father, upon which depended one’s life, later transformed into "eternal life", when in the initial form, it meant "simple survival". Around the Mediteranean,it was believed that every king descended from the same eternal father from Rome to Syria - including the Persians, the Ethiopians, the arabians, the syrians, and the philistines and their multiple tribes from Egypt(Hebrews) or from syria and arabia(the arabs. By the time, navigation became common practice, a huge migration took place from the north east, down to East Central Europ, west to Germania and further to britania and Ireland, ad south through Gaule, to Catalania to Africa, with different names in different places, and Franks in central France, and Numidians in North Africa. The migration is known as the "Celtic Migration". A territory was given to them west of Cartage(under Phenicians via treaty(1st punic war)) and East of Mauritania(established under one recognized King of the Moores), and north of Lybia(approximately modern lybia). The territory of the Numidans would approximately start at the border with Tunisia to the west towards Cherchell(west of Algiers). Numidian King Sephax, and Moore King Massinissa. Neither of them was referred to as a Barbarian nor their people since there was alliegence to the eternal father through the King. The evolution of the belief and the various rituals developed around it had lots of success in North Africa, particularly in the east(ALgeria and Tunisia) where the presence of 4 authorities(city-state) including Romans, Cartaginians, moores, Numidians and Lybians) before 3rd punic war. It is not until the 3rd Punic war that Massinissa engaged in Unifying the entire area, by taking over Carthage in coalition with Rome, and annexing The Numidian Territoy with their(rome) probation. It is then that Catalania and Gaules where Celtic culture begin flourishing were annexed as well, from which Jugurtha transpired. JUgurtha’s rebellions against Rome reduced the Authority of Rome to inside major cities only outside Carthage and westward as well. It is why the King of a City State on west Coast(Morocco to Mauritania) was set apart under the rule of Bauchus established around Tlemcen. The effect of this is Autonomies from Rome whose milicia concentrated in Cartage and suburbs, could not prevent the development of local authorities or Chieftains who were neither hostile to Rome or Jugurtha. Amongst the ones with whom he found common interest in romoving the authority of Rome from the area, are the Numedians who lost their Kingdom because of Rome - All of that at a time when Jugurtha was in conflict with the privileged biological children of Massinissa who were still young. Thus began (as soon as Jugurtha was eiminated) the normalization of City State throughout the region, by extending recognition but not sovereignty to the various chieftains, and the appearance of local assemblies as an authority - aarchs - i.e autonomies as far as local governance goes, while remaining Roman Citizens. The merged territory from Cherchell to Canstantine whic evolved from the association between Jugurtinians and Numidians, resulted in an entity which Romans called Barbarians for their exit from the sovereignety of Rome, are warlike tribes. The officialization, i.e its appearance on written form and in formal Roman Senate declaration took place after the hospitality given to the Vandals who enjoyed that term already, and the coalition built specifically to sack Rome and the control(Emperor elected by Senate) of the Eastern Kingdom(was Greek) - Thus was the entire region inherited the term - While at the beginning it was assigned only to those tribes in rural areas from Cherchell to main territory of the Numedians (Blida to Jijel) with high concentration in the highlands of Kabylia , especially after the arrival of the Vandals, the Islamsts/mohametans later adopted the term from Greece Turkey, and Catalania. From the 8th to the 12th Centuries, while no arabe immigrants came to settle in North Africa, most former city-state agglomerations who paid the moslim Tax, and prohrssively adopted rules of governance and group xenophobia (typical to self-alienation sick folks), the term began extending to the rural areas using the term taken either of the masters, i.e. babariyoun or aarouchia. This unformal norm of designation was reported and referred to in the official crrespondance between the Turkish beys and the caliph in Istambul - That there no central authority in North Africa, but a series of tribes and clans of similar poples, with similar langages, different religions, and each self-governing with assemblies with minimum authority, an a government with an army of volunteers which they assemble on as needed basis. The contact with them and the collection of taxes is through ATTACHE’S chosen from their own(where islam is rejected) called MOURABET and through a a preacher and the mosq in the cities where arabic and coran is known. In Morocco, not even arabic was accepted or used until the arrival of the French who able to locate a tribe with supposed mohameddan/arab ancestry, whose authority their established and enforced. The Coranic texs were translated wherever accepted. Similarly Tunisia was established by means of French normalization of moslem tribes ousted from former territory of the Jugurtinians and Numedians and later Vandals.
  
  If one was to attempt to identify area of concentration/density from each of the Groups, the Numidians would correspond the the Chaouis in a triangular shape around Constantine linking Jijel, Batna and Annaba, The Jugurtinians along the Atlas from Tiaret to Algiers and the Afro-Vandals, i.e (Numido-Moor)-Vandal along the line Cherchell-Algiers up to Jijel to Setif-Bouira-Medea back to Blida, with concentration in the highlands linking Bouira to Bejaia, down to the sea(dellys,Tigzirt) (i.e DJURDJURA). Instinctively, it was about how Algeria was divided into regions during the war against France !!!(NOT INDEPENDANCE)
  
  Honestly, I believe that for the entire region of North Africa to become stable abs sustain development into the far future(post oil and wheather transformations), the entire area, should be remapped based on historical ties and proximity, into more Autonomous States and counties, Cities and Villages. The Federalist Country will result in more states than currentlyare countries, in that Lybia would have to free political space for 2 tedancies it has as well as those who see themselves as Touaregs to join with those who see themselves as Touaregs too in Algeria, Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Algeria, then the Pro-Amazigh and Pro-Moslim/arbians - Tunisia into 2 groups(Amazigh and the rest), Morocco into at least 2 similar groups if not more(Chleuhs, Chaouis, Amazigh, Moore) , and ALgeria into 5 or 6 such States - And finally the Polisario as a State - All of them AUTONOMOUS, with regional Governments, Assemblies, and delegates to a National Assembly. The Country will end up a federation of
  
  1. Arabian-Tunisians, 2. Amazigh-Tunisians, 3. Chaoui-Algerians ; 4. Kabylian-ALgerian ; 5. Numedian-Algerian ; 6. Tlemceni-Algerian ; 7. Mzab-ALgerian ; 8. Midland-Algerian ; 9. Moroccan-Moroccan ; 10. Chleuh-Moroccan ; 11. Chaoui-Moroccan ; 12. Riffean-Moroccan ; 13. Polisario-Sahraoui ; 14. Mauritanian ; 15. Malian ; 16. Touareg ; 17. Amaigh-Libyan ; 18. Lybian-Libyan
  
  Each of these provinces/People, an internal subdivison into regions, counties, Cities and Villages. The level of dcentralization should emerge from agreements starting at the neighborhood level in cities, at the village level for counties(aarchs), at County level for regions, and the region level for each province. Thus from the smallest aglomeration of the size of a neghborhood or village, people choose to form political associations and representations, and the method of self-governance. WHat they want to manage independently and what they want to share wth others... Thus how to regulate their affairs. Naturally, the Federal Government, will receive its powers and prorogatives from State Assemblies, which get them from their County-assemblies, up to the individual.
  
  I think that naturally, each state and perhaps Counties within a state, will reserve certains responsabilities to itself, such as its security, education, language, regulation of certain matters such as family law, religion, and economic activity, roads and infrastrure, and environment. The Federal Government will be left with little such as diplomatic relations, national defense(physical border control/not an airpor in a city for examle, but the limits with Egypt for example), and the enforcement of certain rules such as the rights of movement from one state to another, and mediation of conflicts between various State governments, such as no double taxation or right of copaies to extend into each other’s territory, etc.
  
  Is it possible to achieve that ? The answer is YES, with independent NGOs in collaboration with local associations, which would conduct honest and transparet research locally, following a pre-established protocole to insure ACCURACY and prevent fraud. A TOTALLY INDEPENDENT NGO of any current countries could under the embrella of a UN commission, set regional NGOs by country, and secure commitment to asistance from each country. Within each country, establish a local NGO to engage in the sponsorship of regional Associations, which would facilitate the protocole for the local associations( example : NGO in Algiers establish a coordinating Association in Kabylia Region) - This association will conclude the necessity of 3, 4 or more associations distributed geographically by contiguous sub-regions), and similarly up to the level of the city and Neighborhood or village for small ones, or parts in big villages.
  
  From there, research history, and inquire how people see possibility of association into creating a political system. While it would be easy and convergences will appear by factor of proximity, Divergences will submerge starting at the county level(aarch) - Thus a given village by anonimity/majority will see themselves as part of X county and not Y - Will see themselves in an assembly with a, b, c, d counties to form a region, and not with anyone else. Thus the contours of each State will start to emerge and the borders become clearer. The history of a region and a question relative perceptio of belonging, will also, identify convergences towards the formation of a State Assembly.
  
  In my opinion, the 18 regions/Provinces/States identified above will emerge or something close.
  
  Then the compilation of such data could be presented to to current Governments, and a Joint Commission can be establised could be formed to design a reorganization project in consultation with the various NGOs - Referundums could be ordered throughout the countries, to form new local assemblies which will be offered a template Constitution which they would correct, debate, etc. and pass amongst their constituents throughlocal referundum. COnduct local elections and form their local governments - Progressively from the village/town/city, up to the County, and the State. Finally, orgaize a Congress of deegates from the various regions, to debate a Template Constitution, negociate it, and submit it to general referundum, until adopted. Then identify institutions, and elect a government to run them, under the supervision of such Congress or Parlement.
  
  This can be done by simple inquiry into wat people want ! i.e reality.
  
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