the Agadir Charter - Amazigh Cultural Association in America

16 Pages·2008·1.05 MB·English

by  Hsen Larbi

Page 16 The Amazigh Voice Volume 12, Issue 2
Summer/Fall 2003

News ISALAN News ISALAN News ISALAN News ISALAN News ISALAN
Volume 12, Issue 2
national and official language, a status held his colleagues and the violent reaction of movement in Morocco.
only by the Arabic language. After decades the authorities caused by his having over-
The Amazigh Voice
of Arabization, in 1994, King Hassan II stepped the mark.
promised to introduce Tamazight in the Mohammed Akunad was born in 1950 in Amazigh Multimedia (www.
Ta$ect Tamazi$t
school system under the pressure of the Mo- Ihahan, on the Atlantic coast, north of amazighmultimedia.de) has just re-
roccan Amazigh movement and the ever the town of Agadir. He is, at present, a leased its second production made of
Tas$unt n Tiddukla Tadelsant www.tamazgha.org
growing fear to see the Moroccan Amazigh teacher in Agadir. An activist in the asso- two tales: "Uccen, aqjun" (The Jackal Tamazi$t deg Marikan
movement tread in the steps of the Amazigh ciation movement and the host of a radio and the dog) fourteen minutes long
A magazine published by the Amazigh Cultural Association in America
movement of Algeria. In 2001 was created program on the town’s regional network and a five minutes long un-animated 442 Route 206, #163, Bedminster, NJ 07921—Phone/Fax [phone]
the IRCAM (see our main article in this is- (Tawessa Tamazight, Amazigh Culture), story called “Imcac” (A family of cats).
sue). A pilot program for the teaching of he also writes in Amazigh. He has already These tales are traditional Amazigh
Tamazight is launched in 317 schools, which translated three Russian folk tales into tales. They are loaded with meaning
will be extended to all schools by 2013. Tamazight (Vasilisa tafalkayt, Tiddukla, and wisdom. And now they are avail- Editorial: The Carrot and the Stick
According to the Ministry of Education. Gar tagwmat), and Tawargit d imik is his able on tape for everyone to enjoy and
One thousand teachers are being trained to first novel. learn from. The
launch this first stage. person behind this
In March 2002, Algeria made Tamazight a
D’OÙ VIENT LE VENT? (Where production is the
Inside this issue: national language falling short of the Amazigh
does the wind come from?) by Hamadi, dedicated Cherif
Conference demands for an official status. This year, an
Les 3 Orangers - De Vecchi, 2003 , 32 Oucherif. His first
Institute for Amazigh Culture that will intro-
pages. ISBN 2-7328-9132-0. The book animation was Which Script for 2
duce Tamazight in the school system was es-
Amazighness and Development Issues is can be ordered directly from Les 3 “ U c c e n d Tamazight, Whose Choice
tablished in Morocco. In preparation, the In-
the title of an international conference held Orangers, 13, av. de Saint-Mandé Izimer” (The is it ?
stitute voted for Tifinagh as the official script
in Agadir, Morocco, July 25-27th, 2003. It 75012 Paris. Jackal and the
was organized by the Université d’Eté d’A- Uccen Aqjun Lamb). The tapes Professor Chaker Speaks 9 for Tamazight. This decision has been signed
out on the Tifinagh Script into law by the king of Morocco (See our arti-
gadir (The Summer University of Agadir). As the lasting drought threatens the sur- are available at
cles Which script for Tamazight, whose choice is it?
Issue
vival of the people, the elders decide to Editions Berbères, Paris.
and Pr. Chaker speaks out on the Tifinagh script
send the bravest men to seek out Mother
The Current State of 11 issue).
Books Rain. The courageous Latif accepts this
Tamazight in Morocco
important mission which will take him far MON NOM EST
From a historical point of view this is very
beyond the Crystal Mountains, to the COMBAT (My Kud Nettidir, Kud Netti/ir 14 Marrakech, May 1st, 2003, Amazigh demonstrators
significant. Certainly, these are important con-
L'ALGÉRIE AU TEMPS DES ROYAU- land of White Camphor. Tearing himself name is Struggle) is carrying the Amazigh flag and the portraits of King
cessions by the North African governments.
MES NUMIDES (Algeria during the time away from the Fair Mounia, to whom he the title of a book Massinissa and slain Kabyl singer Lounes Matoub.
However, the Amazigh people are not satis-
of the Numidian kingdoms), edited by gave his heart, he sets out on a long jour- that gathers the Re-
fied, because not only did these governments
Geneviève Sennequier and Cécile Colonna, ney, filled with perilous encounters, his bel’s songs. For not meet their demands, but they maintained curred in the Riffian city of Nador where road
and sponsored by Unesco and the French- only weapon a few word of wisdom im- those who like Lounes and enforced the policies of suppression of signs in Tifinagh, French and Arabic have been
Algerian cooperation. This book covers the parted by one of the elders... Matoub’s song lyrics • The Moroccan govern- the Amazigh entity. The repression has removed by security forces under orders from the
ment establishes Tifi-
history and culture of pre-Islamic North This Amazigh tale is included in the col- or simply have an in- reached its highest level during the 2001 Ministry of the Interior (see our article Tamazight
nagh as the official
Africa. It is a history that was influenced by lection of stories "Our Children, Tales terest in Amazigh poetry, here is a Kabylia events, when the security forces killed and The Makhzen: One Step Forward, Ten Steps Back-
script for Tamazight
Carthage and Rome, and for a long time from far away", an inter-cultural project book that put most of his work in one more than one hundred people and injured ward).
forgotten much like the Etruscan’s. It was for youth of the International Yehudi handy publication. The book is pub- • Tamazight teaching in several thousands. Members of the civil
brought up to date through French coloni- Menuhin Foundation. The aim of this lished by “La Decouverte (Paris) and 317 Moroccan schools movement of Kabylia continue to be thrown In both countries, the government controlled legal
zation and today is rejuvenated through the project is to challenge us to investigate contains French translations of the starts this year. in jail, though Belaid Abrika and many others system, with its baathist laws as well as the security
e f f o r t s o f t h e K a b y l and acknowledge the diversity within the lyrics. • Algeria creates a Na- have been released in order to ease the ten- forces are used to crack down on the Amazigh
movement. European minority cultures. tional Center of sion and help the upcoming elections. people. The small political concessions are de-
Hamadi, a storyteller of Berber origin, is a Tamazight Linguistics, signed to subdue the Amazigh movement and
TAWARGIT D IMIK, by Mohammed writer, actor, singer and director. Teaching and Peda- In Morocco, the demands of the Amazigh keep the Amazigh society’s most vital elements
Akunad, , Tîzrigin Bouregreg, Rabat, 2002, Portions of the news column gogy. movement continue to be ignored and the under control (see our article The Current State of
158p. ISBN 9954-8154-4-9. Die Berberbewegung in Marokko. were tak en from: • The Movement for the work of the Amazigh associations obstructed. Tamazight in Morocco). It is the strategy of the carrot
Tawargit d imik (A Dream and More) tells the Zur Geschichte der Konstruktion Their members are targets for intimidation and the stick, no more no less! The Amazigh peo-
monde.berbere.com Autonomy of Kabylia
story of a well-read man who is employed einer ethnischen identität (1912-1997) and harassment. This is the case of Ali Har- ple have to recognize this and act accordingly.
(MAK) holds its first
by the Amazigh-speaking inhabitants of a by KRATOCHWIL Gabriele – Berlin, convention in Icherai- cheras, member of the Tilelli association of They cannot wait indefinitely for small concessions
and
Moroccan village. As he is anxious to carry Gerd Winkerhane, Klaus Schwarz Verlag wen. Goulmima, who has been tortured by civilian to add up to what they see as their ultimate goal,

out the religious functions of a village sage GmbH, 2002, 489 pages. clothed police officers. Coincidentally, the nor should they leave it up to such failed govern-
tamazgha.fr
in a satisfactory manner, Ssi Brahim Tacen- Based on the author’s 2002 thesis, this very Tifinagh script that recently has been ments to take care of what is dearest to them. The

yart decides to preach in the language spo- publication is the most exhaustive work made the official script has been dealt a blow Amazigh people should take matters in their own
Thanks / Tanemmirt!
ken by the local population. He has conse- on the subject of Amazigh identity con- by the same government that pushed for its hands because no one can do better what they are
quently to deal with both the reluctance of struction and the history of the Amazigh selection in lieu of the Latin script. This oc- supposed to do for themselves. (cid:137)
Page 2 The Amazigh Voice Volume 12, Issue 2
The Amazigh Voice News ISALAN News ISALAN News ISALAN
negotiations with non man- held its first convention on
The Amazigh Voice (ISSN The Aarach dated delegates. When that Aug. 18th 2003 in Icharaiwen
1526-5730) is a quarterly publica- didn’t work, dozens of dele- (Kabylia). For more informa-
tion of the Amazigh Cultural As- gates were systematically ar- tion visit the MAK’s website
sociation in America Inc. The Aarach delegates are rested under bogus charges. at www.makabylie.com.
(ACAA). open to dialogue with the The Aarach were thus forced
government. Two years have to change their focus from
All Rights Reserved ©2003 passed since Kabylia’s rebel- fighting for the platform to Tamazight
lion against injustice and ex- fighting for the liberation of
clusion but most of the their fellow delegates. Algeria
ACAA is an international non- Amazigh demands are not
profit, cultural, and scientific or- met. Among these demands In May of 2003, Ahmed Ouya- The Algerian government has
ganization dedicated to the protec- are the prosecution of those hia, the new prime minister, just announced the decision to
tion and promotion of the Amazigh responsible for the deaths or called for a dialogue with the create a national linguistic cen-
(Berber) culture in the USA and injury of innocent demonstra- Aarach. On July 20th, on a ter for pedagogy and teaching
abroad. tors, making Tamazight a visit to Setif, president Boute- of Tamazight. The timing of
national and official language, flika reiterated that call in or- the government’s pressure for
and the replacement of the der to implement the El-Kseur a dialogue with the Aarach
Editors para-military security forces platform “in every aspect that and its recent announcement
by a police force that is con- does not interfere with the which happened just before
trolled by the locally elected unity and integrity of Algeria.”
Lak Amara the upcoming presidential
officials. Spring 2001 has
Nabil Boudraa elections did not go unnoticed
been named the Black Spring At the end of June the Aarach
Rachid Dahmani in the Algerian press.
for the more than one hun- rejected Ouyahia’s offer.
Akli Gana
dred youths killed by the Al- The reference to unity and
Hsen Larbi According to published infor-
gerian security forces during integrity of Algeria is undoubt-
Louiza Sellami mation this center will tackle
the year long demonstrations. edly related to item number 11
issues related to the teaching
The Aarach is the reaction of of the platform in which the
Design & Production of Tamazight such as script,
the people of Kabylia to stop Aarach demand that the Gen-
lexicon of the various idioms,
the bloodshed and bring darmerie (Algeria’s para-
Hsen Larbi grammar, didactic curricula,
change in the way Algeria is military police) security forces
and pedagogical means. This
governed. The Aarach are in the region be placed under
Distribution national center is intended to
democratically elected repre- the power of the locally
sentatives of the 2000 Kabyl elected officials. The Tizi- become the focus of all activi-
Arezki Boudif villages. Their actions pro- Ouzou coordination stated ties related to the integrated
duced a document referred to that it will seriously consider development of the teaching
The Amazigh Voice welcomes arti- as the El-Kseur platform, for the offer but that it finds it of Tamazight in the frame-
cles, columns, reviews, editorial the name of the Kabyl town ambiguous because the El- work of a progressive and ex-
correspondence, and poems in where it was produced. La- Kseur platform does not inter- clusively scientific approach to
Tamazight or English. Contri-
butions should be sent to: beled “non negotiable” the fere in any way with national learning, promotion and diffu-
platform was considered by unity and integrity. The Bgayet sion of this national language.
[email protected] or the Aarach a set of minimal and Tubirett coordinations, (cid:134)
Amazigh Voice demands that the government seemed more favorable to dia-
PO Box 265 should accept and publicly logue but were equally skepti- Morocco
Malden, MA 02148 commit to their implementa- cal in reference to the national
Phone/Fax: [phone] tion. Their many attempts in unity and integrity aspect. Fu- The teaching of Tamazight
2001 and 2002 to publicly ture meetings among these in Moroccan schools has
Opinions expressed in The present it to the government coordinations will determine started this year; It is being
Amazigh Voice are not necessarily
met an unprecedented and the final position of the introduced in primary schools.
those of ACAA representatives
violent repression. The Aarach. (cid:134) This is seen by many as a step
and do not reflect those of
Aarach responded with more in the right direction but in-
ACAA. Material may be reprinted
only with permission. demonstrations and strikes. sufficient for the rehabilitation
Kabyl Autonomy of Tamazight. The Moroccan
In 2002 and 2003, the govern- Amazigh movement’s demand
ment attempted to break the The Movement for the is to establish Tamazight as
Aarach by setting up mock-up Autonomy of Kabylia (MAK)
(Continued on page 16)
Volume 12, Issue 2 The Amazigh Voice Page 3
Which Script for Tamazight, Whose Choice is it?
BY HSEN LARBI
Introduction
caused many to express their opposition to it. Elsewhere, among

the diaspora, many associations and noted scholars expressed
King Mohammed VI of Morocco has recently signed a law that
their concern and opposition. This decision is stirring a debate
makes the Tifinagh script the official writing system for
throughout the Amazigh communities and many questions re-
Tamazight. This script will be used in future teaching programs
main unanswered. This article reports on this important decision
that will be developed by IRCAM (French acronym for Royal
by the Moroccan authorities and gives the background informa-
Institute for Amazigh Culture) in collaboration with the Ministry
tion to help the reader understand the issues surrounding the
of education. This royal decision was based on a recommenda-
choice of a writing system for Tamazight.
tion by IRCAM that was reached by a majority vote at its January

30-31 session held in Rabat.
IRCAM

Many regard this decision as a historical one. This is supported
IRCAM, an institute established exclusively to promote the
by the fact that a few decades ago, Tamazight and Amazigh cul-
Amazigh culture and language was created by royal decree in
ture in general virtually did not exist in Moroccan public life:
October 2001. One of IRCAM’s goals is to introduce the
Tamazight was not taught in schools and is still absent from the
Amazigh language in Moroccan school curricula. IRCAM’s
Moroccan school system. It was not possible for anyone to use
board includes many known experts in the Amazigh field, artists
Tamazight publicly, not even in court to defend oneself. There
and Amazigh activists.
was not any public Amazigh expression of any kind except
maybe when it came to tourism, where the indigenous aspects of
Morocco are exploited. There were no newspapers, no television As a parallel to the Algerian
or radio in Tamazight. Tamazight was confined to the homes of HCA (High Commission for
those who still speak it. Being Amazigh in Morocco is, to a large Amazighity) and a response to
The king appoints all
extent, still considered inferior. It is regarded as uncivilized, the Amazigh demands, the
IRCAM’s members,
backward and above all a threat to Arabic, the sacred language of creation of IRCAM does not
therefore IRCAM is not
the Qur’an, the vehicle of the Islamic culture as well as the basis even begin to fill the gap be-
an Amazigh institution
of the Nation’s unity, which is defined and imposed as Arab. In tween the Amazigh demands
because it is not under
this context, any favorable concession to the Amazigh commu- and what the government is
their control in any form
nity from the Moroccan authorities would be regarded as histori- ready to offer. One of the Mo-
or fashion.
cal. The Amazigh people and their needs have not been of any roccan Amazighs’ key demands
concern to the Moroccan government or anyone else but the is a full recognition of their
Amazigh themselves who are today fighting to keep what is very identity and culture, which would involve the inclusion of
valuable and dear to them: their identity and language. Tamazight as a national and official language in the Moroccan
constitution.
The IRCAM’s recommendation will have an impact on the
teaching of the Amazigh language in Morocco as well as its fu- In her article titled “Royal Amazigh Institute: Worries for
ture in all of North Africa. The importance of this impact will be Imazignen” [1], M. Demnati1 states that the creation of the insti-
measured by the extent of the areas covered by this law, and the tute is the result of the Amazigh movement’s daily struggle.
level of its enforcement in the field. At this moment, it is not However, she notes that if the teaching of Tamazight remains as
clear whether this decision will only apply to education and offi- established in the current education charter, in other words, to
cial documents or everything that is written in Tamazight. For serve Arabic2, “it is our duty to fight this institute, which is noth-
example, it is not known if this decision would make it unlawful ing but an instrument in the hands of those who want to suffo-
for anyone to use other characters in the transcription of cate our language and culture.” As mentioned above, the King
Amazigh texts. appoints all IRCAM’s members. Therefore, IRCAM is not an
Amazigh institution because it is not under Amazigh control in
any form or fashion.
The Kabyls, the largest Amazigh population in Algeria, who use
exclusively the Latin characters to write in Tamazight, now won-
der what the future of Tamazight will be, as the larger Moroccan Although the creation of IRCAM does in fact prove some recog-
Amazigh population is set on a different path. In Morocco, nition of the Amazigh dimension, it is seen by many as just a
where the Latin script is favored over other scripts by the small government concession. Furthermore, many Amazigh ac-
Amazigh movement and the Amazigh associations, this decision tivists are in fact skeptical about it, fearing that IRCAM is just
Page 4 The Amazigh Voice Volume 12, Issue 2
to make it a sacred language. He further added that if one had to
another way for the government to defer the real recognition,
choose on the basis of authenticity, the Tifinagh script would be
maybe even a way to regulate the Amazigh issue as well as neu-
the only possible choice.
tralize the Amazigh movement. A certain dose of skepticism is

expected, given the history of the North African governments
Dated February 20th 2003, a press release by the CMA (French
position on this issue. As noted earlier, the government of Mo-
acronym for World Amazigh Congress) hailed Mohammed VI’s
rocco has been traditionally opposed to any promotion of the
decision to adopt the Tifinagh script and referred to it as a deci-
Amazigh dimension. Worse, it has carried out a policy of annihi-
sion that would restore one of the foundations of the Amazigh
lation in favor of an Arab definition of Morocco’s identity. It is
identity. It expressed the hope that IRCAM has made this rec-
therefore hard for anyone to believe that such policy has
ommendation free from any outside pressure. It recalled, how-
changed overnight. This cannot be viewed as a departure from
ever, that the Amazigh movement in its vast majority was in fa-
past practices because the discriminating policies towards
vor of the Latin script. It added that the CMA itself has recom-
Tamazight are still in place. Case in point: following the declara-
mended the use of the Latin script at its 3rd congress in Roubaix
tion of Tifinagh as the official script for Tamazight in Morocco,
(August 2002). It regrets the decision made by IRCAM to ignore
the local authorities of the Riffian city of Nador installed road
the popular demand and goes on to question the real goals of
signs written in both Arabic and Tifinagh. These were quickly
IRCAM. It noted that the choice of the Latin script has already
removed in the middle of the night by the security forces. There-
been made by the Amazighs of Algeria, and the choice made by
fore, one can only say that the creation of IRCAM could be a
the Monarchy will only hurt the Amazigh language standardiza-
step in the right direction, but the Amazigh people’s fight for
tion and impede the unity of the Amazigh movement.
their rights is certainly not over. One would have to wait and see

what powers the institute actually has, and what its concrete ac-
tions in the field are. Most importantly, one has to observe how Within the Amazigh movement, it is clear that the decision by
the Moroccan Tamazight policies will evolve. the Moroccan authorities is not a welcome one. Following a
meeting held in Meknes in 2002 by several Amazigh associations

to discuss the script issue, a press release was issued in which the
Reactions to the Tifinagh Script Dahir3
use of the Latin script was recommended for the teaching of

Tamazight while the Tifinagh script should be developed.
Tada, a federation of close to twenty Moroccan Amazigh asso- Among the associations involved were Tamaynut and AMREC.
ciations, stated its opposition to IRCAM’s decision in a press
This line of thinking follows closely the recommendations of
release following its February 15, 2003 meeting. It indicated that
CRB5.
without the necessary political will to create an adapted Tifinagh

system, the Latin script remains the most adequate means of
The position of the majority of the Amazighs may thus be sum-
transcription for Tamazight. It also referred to IRCAM as a
marized as: adoption of the Latin script in conjunction with the
Makhzenian4 institution created with the sole goal of neutralizing
development of Tifinagh. However, there are a few voices that
the Amazigh movement.
claim that young Amazighs prefer Tifinagh. Furthermore, an

important aspect of this issue that is not expressed in the many
Tamazgha, a prominent Amazigh association established in
press releases mentioned here is the long standing opposition to
Paris, denounced the decision of the Monarchy and referred to it
the Arabic script. The competition between the Latin and Tifi-
as a “strategy whose aims are to waste time and slow down the
nagh-based scripts is in a certain measure a standardization issue,
Amazigh movement through the use and manipulation of certain
since the Amazigh movement still recommends the development
association leaders and intellectuals,” i.e., the IRCAM’s board
of Tifinagh. However, it is clear that the attempts to impose Ara-
members. Tamazgha considers that Tifinagh cannot compete
bic characters and their rejection by the Amazighs are politically
with the Latin script for the moment, therefore the decision’s
motivated. Salem Chaker noted many years ago in his “Manuel
aim is to ensure the failure of Tifinagh use as well as blame those
de Linguistique Berbere” [2] that the issue of script is an ideo-
Amazighs on the board of IRCAM for it. It views IRCAM and
logical issue.
HCA as tools used by the governments to gain control over the

Amazigh issue.
In the rest of this article we will look at the competition between

the three different scripts, as well as the technical, standardiza-
Prior to IRCAM’s December
tion, and political reasons behind the different choices and thus
2002 session, Dr A.H. Oussa-
try to understand IRCAM’s decision.
den, a known Amazigh activist,

Without the necessary
published a letter in which he
political will to create an A Standardization Issue
recognized that the decision
adapted Tifinagh system, that was going to be made by
the Latin script remains
IRCAM’s board members was When we consider the level of development of the different
the most adequate
a tough one, and one which scripts used to write Tamazight, we cannot help but realize the
means of transcription of
dealt with a sensitive subject. lopsided situation in favor of the Latin script. The important
Tamazight.
He argued that the Latin script work that has been done on the Latin script has not been done
is universal and has many ad- on the other two major scripts. The Arabic script at the moment
vantages and warned against selecting the Aramean (Arabic) Ara- appears as an abandoned choice. Only a handful of Amazigh
bic script, which would give satisfaction to those who would like activists still use it in Morocco. The Tifinagh script is the only
Page 5 The Amazigh Voice Volume 12, Issue 2
alphabet that has a chance to compete against the Latin script. consider “most appropriate” indicates that the Amazigh scien-
tists at this colloquium are aware that the ultimate choice had to
There are three main character sets based on Tifinagh: 1) Tifi- be made by the users and producers, namely the Amazigh peo-
nagh proper that is used by the various Twareg groups. This ple!
script includes at least a dozen varieties according to Aghali- Since the Ghardaia colloquium and probably prior to that, most
Zakara [3]. 2) The neo-Tifinagh script that was established by the of the standardization effort focused on the Latin script, and
Académie Berbère. 3) Salem Chaker’s proposition of a Tifinagh/ CRB must be credited for its leadership role in this matter.
Libyan based script. Tifinagh proper is not suited for the CRB’s researchers and students come from all over North Africa
Tamazight idioms of the North, which is why the neo-Tifinagh and France with a Kabyl dominance. It comes as no surprise
came into existence. In fact in order to unify the Tamashaq lan- then that in Algeria, the Latin script may be considered the de-
guages (Tamazight spoken by the Twaregs), the Bamako interna- facto standard. In fact even the Algerian government appointed
tional conference (1966 and 1984) established a Latin-based HCA has recommended the use of the Latin-based script.
script while the Twaregs continue to use Tifinagh. The neo-
Tifinagh is not considered a good script because first of all it is The tradition mentioned earlier has given the Latin system a sig-
based exclusively on the Ahaggar variety. Secondly, it does not nificant lead over the other systems. Amazigh scholars them-
have the linguistic backing, and thirdly, it contains too many in- selves have been and are being trained with this system. Finally,
vented characters. Certain modifications have been made to it to the majority of Amazighs of North Africa is using this system.
render it usable by all Tamazight idioms of the North, and young
people seem to be attracted to its “authenticity” and originality.
A Political Issue
Paradoxically, it is the lack of authenticity that makes most aca-

demics shy away from it.
As explained earlier, the choice of a script is largely political and

ideological. The Amazighs have at their disposal three different
The Tifinagh/Libyan script proposed by Chaker [4] is an attempt
scripts. The Latin script is relatively well developed and has the
to make up for the pitfalls of the Académie Berbère’s neo-
backing of the Amazigh elite (intellectuals, activists, students,
Tifinagh script. Chaker’s proposition has many advantages. It is
etc.) but the pro-Arab governments and Islamic movements are
entirely authentic since it uses only Tifinagh or Libyan characters
opposed to it. Tifinagh seems to be preferred by the young gen-
and takes into account the advances made on the Latin-based
eration, but the establishment also opposes it.
script. However, it still needs some improvement [4] because it

makes use of a lot of dot-based characters, which can lead to
According to Demnati [1], the Moroccan pro-Arab establish-
confusion. In general, this is one of the disadvantages of any Ti-
ment is fiercely opposed to the use of Latin characters and con-
finagh-based script. Thus, both the Tifinagh and the Arabic
siders that Tifinagh is a Twareg script, therefore only Arabic
scripts will need work before they become usable. In the event
characters may be used to transcribe Tamazight. A seminar on
any one of these scripts becomes official, it may take advantage
Tamazight was organized in Nador (Rif region) in August 2001,
of the benefits derived from the work that has been done on the
at the end of which it was decided that Tamazight should be
Latin script. That is not enough, however, to get them to the
written with Arabic characters. This seminar was sponsored by
standardization level of the Latin-based script.
the BMCE (French acronym for Moroccan Bank for Exterior

Commerce).
The Latin script has always been the choice of Amazigh linguists

and researchers. It is considered the standard writing system for
In Algeria, it is fairly well estab-
Tamazight and this is based on a tradition of Tamazight writing
lished that the political estab-
that goes back to the early work of pioneers such as Basset, Am-
lishment, with the exception of
mar Saïd Boulifa, the Pères Blancs of Kabylia, and of course the
“the choice of a script the Amazigh-based parties (The
most revered Amazigh pioneer, writer and anthropologist Mou-
is largely political and Socialist Forces Front (FFS)
loud Mammeri. This tradition of using Latin characters consti-
ideological.” and The Rally for Culture and
tutes the single and most important advantage that this system
Democracy (RCD)) is opposed
has over the other systems. In 1991, at an international collo-
to the use of the Latin script,
quium on Tamazight held in Ghardaia (Algeria) [5], a linguistics
but is in favor of using the Arabic characters. They are also op-
commission was formed as part of the colloquium. This com-
posed to Tifinagh, considering it an archaic alphabet. These posi-
mission stated in its final report that the Latin based script is
tions are explicitly expressed by many political leaders in Algeria,
“the most appropriate to use for Tamazight because it is practi-
including former president Chadli Bendjedid and leaders of the
cal and scientifically adequate.” “This choice would ensure a
Islamic parties (MSP and NAHDA). Recently at a colloquium
rapid development of Tamazight.” The members of the commis-
titled “Tamazight and the challenges of modernity”[6] organized
sion, who stated this unanimously, added, “this option does not
by the HCA, three presentations were given on the subject of the
exclude other solutions based on Arabic or Tifinagh characters,
writing system. In one of these, according to the magazine
as these are just as legitimate.” The socio-linguistics and passage
IZURAN [6], the author Abderrezak Dourari of the University
to written expression commissions at the same colloquium con-
of Algiers, defended the use of Arabic characters by emphasizing
cluded their work with a number of recommendations that in-
the historical relations between the Amazigh and the Arab peo-
cluded encouraging “all written expression using any kind of
ple as well as the proximity of the two languages6.
script.” This openness to scripts other than the one that they
Page 6 The Amazigh Voice Volume 12, Issue 2
Tamazight has its own alphabet”, 18% picked “yes because
This is confirmed in an article by Cherif Sini7 [7] in which he they are universal characters.”
discusses the results of a survey he conducted on this issue. Sini
explains that “the partisans of an Arabic writing system for While the Latin based script seems to be the most accepted one
Tamazight justify their choice with an alleged genetic link be- for the moment, the Amazigh youth favors Tifinagh, according
tween Arabic and Tamazight” for the following reason: accord- to Sini’s article. This is also confirmed by the results of the Revue
ing to linguists both languages belong to the large family of ha- Tifinagh’s survey:
mito-semitic languages. Based on this, “the Arabic characters - Fifty-four percent thought Tifinagh was a viable script, pro-
would then suit Tamazight perfectly.” Furthermore, “Algerians vided that it is modernized.
have to learn Arabic anyway, and this reinforces national unity.” - To the question on whether Tamazight should be written in
One of the reasons often cited for using Arabic characters is that Tifinagh, 41% of the respondents picked the answer “yes,
it is the language of the Holy Qur’an and Islam is the religion of because Tifinagh is a symbol of our identity,” while 22%
most Algerians. picked “yes, because it’s an alphabet like any other,” and 7%
picked “no, for personal reasons.”
But the survey’s8 conclusions reject the use of the Arabic charac-
ters. These are listed below:
If we consider that this survey is representative of the entire
– All the persons surveyed systematically reject Arabic charac- Amazigh population of Morocco, then the choice of Tifinagh,
ters. and the opposition to Arabic characters are clear. Although, the
– The study showed that most people are in favor of the Latin Revue Tifinagh’s survey dates back to 1996, it has shown a certain
script. tolerance towards the Latin script. This tolerance, as evidenced
– There is a strong desire for Tifinagh among young people. by the reaction to the Dahir, increased to the point where the
Amazigh elite of Morocco practically demands the Latin script.
Sini’s analysis of the results shows that the desire to impose Ara-
bic characters by the Algerian political leaders and its rejection From the foregoing discussion and information gathered, it may
by the Amazigh people both have political and ideological mo- be concluded that the Amazigh people largely prefer the Latin
tives. Sini finds that the unanimous and strong rejection of Ara- script, although there is some indication that the younger genera-
bic characters is not well substantiated by the respondents. The tion has an inclination towards Tifinagh, but they are certainly
justification given for their choice is usually a technical one. opposed to the Arabic script. The reasons for the Latin script
When confronted with arguments that show that the technical preference and rejection of the Arabic one are definitely political
difficulties are similar for all scripts, the respondents resort to and in a “marginal way” technical as stated by Chaker [2]. The
clichés. Sini explains this position by the equally strong rejection rejection of Arabic is mainly a reaction to the North African
of Tamazight by the Algerian establishment, particularly its pol- governments’ policy to make North Africa Arab and annihilate
icy of Arabization. Tamazight. The passive, or sometimes supportive attitude of the
Arabic-speaking population towards this policy removes any
Sini concludes that the people surveyed favor the Latin script doubt that the Amazigh people have about the government’s
and see it as the symbol of modernity, openness and universality. long-term goal. The absence of the slightest political tolerance
However, this position is not an entirely rational one because, he for Tamazight convinces the Amazigh people that accepting
explains, some people think that choosing the Latin script will Arabic does not simply imply friendly coexistence between the
make it possible to quickly learn Tamazight anywhere, and that two cultures (Arab and Amazigh). On the contrary this rein-
Tamazight will become a language of the computers and the forces the idea that this is only a mean of achieving Arabization
internet. Sini adds that the popularity of the Latin script is rein- and Amazigh annihilation more quickly. More importantly, since
forced by the fact that it has already gone through a standardiza- the issue is about identity, it is only logical to choose a distinct
tion process and its use is fairly well established. script in order to have a distinct identity in countries that con-
sider themselves Arab in their majority and where significant
efforts are made to erase any Amazigh characteristics. Despite
This analysis is confirmed at least in part by the results of a sur-
the fact that a script is only a graphical means of communication,
vey conducted by the Revue Tifinagh [8]. Fifty readers of Tifinagh
by using a different script the Amazigh people express their de-
responded to a survey to gather information on various aspects
sire and right to be different. This is also the reason why many
of identity and language in Morocco. They were all Amazigh
Amazighs are in favor of Tifinagh, which is part of the Amazigh
from Morocco and most of them were highly educated, were
identity; therefore it is only natural to choose it.
from an Amazigh area and spoke at least Tamazight at home.
The questions asked had multiple-choice answers:
- To the question whether Tamazight should be written in Sini claimed that the choice of the Latin script and rejection of
Arabic characters, 54% of the respondents answered no Arabic one is political in the sense that the Amazigh people
because it has its own characters, and none were in favor of would like a script that symbolizes modernity and universality. It
Arabic characters because they are the characters of the lan- is true that choosing the Latin script means openness to western
guage of the Qur’an. cultures and probably a desire to associate with the most modern
countries and therefore their cultures. But on one hand, there is
- To the question whether Tamazight should be written in
nothing wrong with opening up to the most modern societies
Latin characters, 38% picked the answer “no because
(Continued on page 7)
Page 7 The Amazigh Voice Volume 12, Issue 2
(Khénifra), AMGHAR (Khénifra) , ANARUZ (Demnat),
The Tada Confederacy of
ANEZWUM (Azrou), ASAFAR (Mellab, Goulmima),
ASEKKA (Azilal), ASSIREM (Rissani), AZEMZ (Boumal-n-
Amazigh Associations in Dades), IGHBOULA (Mrirt), TALTEFRAWT (Goulmima),
TAZELGHA (Tinejdad), TIFSA (Aïn Louh), TILELLI
(Goulmima)
Morocco—Press Releases
TRANSLATED FROM FRENCH BY HSEN LARBI
Which Script for Tamazight, Whose Choice is it? (Continued
Following their meeting held on Saturday, February 15, 2003 in
from page 6)
Tinejdad, and after the study of the various points on the

agenda, the Amazigh associations, members of the TADA Con-
and on the other if the Amazigh people and their culture were
federacy, announce to the national and international public that:
respected as they deserve to be in their own ancestral lands, the
friendly coexistence between the two cultures as mentioned
• They reiterate the claims of the Amazigh cultural move-
above can only thrive, regardless of the selected script. But per-
ment, which include first and foremost the constitutionali-
haps this is not enough for the North African “ideologists,” be-
zation of Tamazight as an official language, the only guar-
cause it isn’t friendship and respect for the Amazighs that is
antee of a true recognition of the Amazighness of Mo-
sought but rather their domination and at the same time keeping
rocco.
out western influence.

• They consider the Royal Institute for Amazigh Culture a
IRCAM members decided on a script on their own. They have
Makhzenian apparatus created with the only aim of neutral-
not consulted anyone outside IRCAM. There was no public de-
izing the Amazigh cultural movement.
bate on the issue prior to the decision and if there was an inter-
nal debate, it was not made public. Amazighs outside Morocco,
• They consider that, in the absence of a serious political will
who will be affected by their decision were not consulted. Tech-
to modernize Tifinagh, one of the symbols of our identity,
nically speaking, not a single study was done to backup their de-
the Latin alphabet remains the most adequate means for
cision. Not even a survey like the one conducted by the Revue
the writing of Tamazight.
Tifinagh. This clearly explains the Amazigh associations’ doubts
and skepticism reported in this article. The reactions point to
• They denounce the malevolent schemes conducted against
the possibility that the Amazigh members of IRCAM’s board
Imazighen by some individuals who betrayed Timmuzgha
may have come under a lot of pressure to choose the Arabic
in order to collaborate with the Makhzen.
script or at least not to choose the Latin one. This is confirmed
by Meryam Demnati’s interview to Revue Telquel [10[. Demnati,
• They denounce the political exploitation of Tamazight by
who supports the Latin script, admits the choice of Tifinagh was
the State apparatus and the political parties.
a compromise between selecting the Latin script and facing a
total gridlock. She reported that in the second round, the Latin
• They denounce the prohibition imposed on Imazighen to
script conceded five votes to Tifinagh. This implies that there
give Amazigh names to their children,
may have been a vote in which the Latin script clearly had the
majority. She added that this was a concerted and well-thought
• They denounce all prohibitions on Amazigh associations
out decision among the members. Clearly put, whoever was pull-
activities, in particular those of Azmez association
ing the strings inside IRCAM has exerted enough pressure to
(Boumal-n-Dadès), which was recently prevented from
defeat the Latin script and leave only Tifinagh and Arabic as op-
having a 2953 Amazigh new year celebration.
tions. Faced with the possibility of endless obstructions and pos-
sibly the risk to end up with a non-functioning IRCAM, five
• They call on all the Amazigh associations and activists to be Latin votes were given up to Tifinagh to allow it to win over
more vigilant in order to preserve the independence of the Latin and Arabic.
Amazigh cultural movement vis-à-vis the Makhzen and the

political parties.
IRCAM’s decision, although reached through coercion, is none-
theless legally valid because no one contested the vote. One may
For the TADA Confederacy, signed
object to the fact that IRCAM is an educational institution. As
Said JAAFAR, President
such it cannot be an elected body. Its members are appointed
Tinejdad, February 15, 2003
based on their scientific qualifications and the nature of their
work in IRCAM is indeed scientific. First of all the scientific
Member Associations:
qualifications of at least some of the members is definitely ques-
ABRID (Fès), ADDOUR IMAZIGHEN (Sefrou), AKABAR tionable. Second, the issue is political and ideological, and cer-
(Aghbalou-n-Iserdane) , AMDAZ (El Hajeb), AMENZU tainly, their decision was not based on any scientific work. IR-
Page 8 The Amazigh Voice Volume 12, Issue 2
CAM made a political decision and the least it could have done Oriental Languages and Civilizations), based in Paris.
in its present status of a non-democratic body9, was to consult 6. The Arabic language is a Semitic language (like Hebrew)
the people and obtain the largest possible consensus. Prior to while Tamazight belongs to the larger family of language
looking for consensus, the issue should have been publicized and called Hamito-Semitic, which is made of Afro-Asiatic lan-
largely debated. This could have been done whether IRCAM is guages. Linguistics claim there is certain resemblance or
an elected body or not. All possible solutions should have been
distant links between the Semitic and the Hamito-Semitic
considered before resorting to a vote. Instead, IRCAM jumped
languages.
on this issue and voted on it almost as soon as it was created.
7. Professor of French at the University of Tizi-Ouzou
Worse, its vote was manipulated and coerced.
8. It is unfortunate that detailed information on those sur-

veyed and the actual results were not published along
The real issue is one of freedom. Choice implies freedom! The
with the article in question. The reader is forced to rely
Amazigh should be free to choose their script and no one should
on the author’s interpretation of the results.
impose a language or a script on them. This should be the politi-
9. What is meant by democratic body is a body that is
cal and most meaningful justification the Amazigh people should
elected by the people IRCAM is supposed to serve. Obvi-
offer when asked. The fact is, in the case of IRCAM, a political
ously, IRCAM is established for the promotion of
decision was made on their behalf without any representation.
Tamazight, therefore its members should be elected by the
Worse, this right to choose was taken away by the very people
Amazigh people. It is possible to have appointed members
who were supposed to defend them: the Amazigh activists inside
that would represent the different ministries, but they
IRCAM. When they revised their votes to allow Tifinagh to win
would either have a non-voting status or represent a small
over Latin and Arabic, they did not consider for one second that
fraction of the voting body. A 2/3 majority should be made
they have possibly become a tool in the hands of their foes.
More importantly, they rushed on the issue and thus prevented of representatives of the Amazigh regions.
their own people from familiarizing themselves with the issue
and making up their mind and ultimately expressing themselves References
democratically. Finally, they did not realize that the Amazigh 1. Demnati, Meriam, “Royal Amazigh Institute: Worries for
people have never mandated them to decide in their name. Imazighen,” The Amazigh Voice, Vol. 10, Nos. 3 and 4, Win-
ter/Spring 2002.
What is the solution? 2. Chaker, Salem, Manuel de Linguistique Berbère I, Editions
Bouchène, Alger, 1990.
Part of it lies in one of Sini’s conclusions: “the re-valorization 3. Aghali-Zakara, Mohamed, “Graphies Berbères et dilemma
and promotion of Tamazight to a national language are the result de diffusion, Intéraction des alphabets latin, ajami et tifi-
of the people’s cultural movement, so the choice of a script nagh,” Actes de la Table Ronde Internationale “Phonologie
should be theirs.” It is also implied in the recommendation of et notation usuelle dans le domaine berbère”, Inalco, avril
the linguistics commission at the Ghardaia colloquium in 1991. 1993, Eudes et Documents Berbères No. 11, La Boite à Docu-
Today, the Latin script is dominant, and it should to be used to ments/Edisud, 1994, pp. 107-121.
develop Tamazight. If the desire for Tifinagh becomes strong 4. Chaker, Salem, “Pour une notation à base Tifinagh,” Actes
among a larger segment of the Amazigh population, then it de la Table Ronde Internationale “Phonologie et notation
would naturally gain more acceptance and dominate over the usuelle dans le domaine berbère”, Inalco, avril 1993, Eudes
other scripts. With time and use, the Amazigh people will either et Documents Berbères No. 11, La Boite à Documents/Edisud,
stay with the Latin script or switch to Tifinagh. It does not mat- 1994, pp. 31-42.
ter when that happens because whenever it does, it will be the 5. Actes du Colloque International “Unité et Diversité de Tamazight”,
right time because people chose it. And that is the right way to Ghardaïa, 20-21 Avril 1991, Tome I, Agraw Adelsan
do it.(cid:137) Amazigh, Fedération Nationale des Associations
Amazighes.
Notes 6. Tamazight face aux défis de la modernité, Colloque Interna-
tional sur Tamazight, Boumerdès 15-17 Juillet 2002,
1. Currently a member of the board of IRCAM
IZURAN No. 32 August 2002.
2. The current Moroccan education charter establishes a
7. Sini, Cherif, “Les raisons d’un choix,” IZURAN No. 33,
teaching of Tamazight as a means to integrate the
September 2002.
Amazigh community within the “larger” Arab community.
8. Revue Tifinagh, Spring 1996.
Tamazight would be taught much like Spanish is taught to
Hispanic immigrants in the US in order to help them tran- 9. Sini, Cherif, “Il y a une forte demande pour l’usage des
sition to English. caractères Tifinagh,” Interview with IZURAN, IZURAN
No. 32, August 2002.
3. Law (Arabic).
10. Entretien avec Meriam Demnati: chercheur et membre du
4. From Makhzen, which refers to state organization under
conseil d'administration à l'Institut Royal de la Culture
the successive monarchs. Makhzen implies “controlled by
Amazighe, Interview realisée par Driss Sikes, Revue Telquel
the king.”
du 08 au 14 Fevrier 2003. Also published in Kabyle.com.
5. French acronym for Berber Research Center. Created by

Salem Chaker, it is part of INALCO (National Institute for
Page 9 The Amazigh Voice Volume 12, Issue 2
Professor Chaker Speaks Out on the Tifinagh Script Issue
BY SAID CHEMAKH & MASIN FERKAL
TRANSLATED FROM FRENCH BY HSEN LARBI

Professor of Tamazight (Berber) and director of the Berber research center (CRB) in Inalco (Paris),
Salem Chaker remains one of the architects of the standardization of Tamazight. He has organized
several meetings of Amazigh language experts and other cultural figures (writers, artists...) from all
over the world to discuss the standardization of the Tamazight writing system. When the Moroccan
monarchy recently (see feature article) decided to impose the Tifinagh script as the only transcrip-
tion for Tamazight in Morocco, we thought it would be important to get his opinion, as an expert, on
the subject.
Kra Isallen: In an official statement King Mohamed VI an- past 20 years, the Tifinagh script is the historical writing system
nounced the decision of IRCAM (French acronym for Royal of Tamazight, but it has not been in effective use for centuries
Institute for Amazigh Culture) to adopt the Neo-Tifinagh alpha- (certainly more than one millennium) in all of North Africa.
bet as the only writing system for Tamazight in Morocco. As an Thus, it can only play an identity or emblematic role and cannot
Amazigh linguist, what is your reaction to this decision? be used as a basis for a functional writing system that can easily
be disseminated. Furthermore, no serious work has been done
Salem Chaker: I consider that to bring it up to date and adapt it to the current needs, on the
it is at the same time a hasty basis of a phonological study. The version currently in use,
and badly founded decision, which is prevalent in certain Amazigh activist circles, is purely
“I consider that it is at
and certainly a dangerous one and simply aberrant since it is actually a phonetic notation of
the same time a hasty
for the future and development Kabyl based on Tifinagh characters. This was developed in 1970
and badly founded
of Tamazight in Morocco. It in the Berber Academy circles by amateurs full of goodwill, but
decision, and certainly a
also shows very clearly the nonetheless without any linguistic training. The result is that the
dangerous one for the
confusion among those who alphabet which is currently presented to us as the Amazigh al-
future and development
are in charge of the Amazigh phabet is not an authentic one. It was strongly altered in order
of Tamazight in Morocco.”
language in the North African to transcribe the phonetic characteristics of Kabyl. It cannot
countries. While no serious thus be an Amazigh-wide alphabet.
scientific debate on the question of the alphabet to use ever
took place in Morocco or Algeria, the political leaders decided K.I.: As the director of the Berber Research Center and as
on an option that is totally disconnected from the current prac- someone who has organized many meetings on the subject of
tice, both in Morocco and in the rest of the Amazigh world. standardization of the Amazigh transcription, don't you think
Currently, as you know, the most functional Amazigh writing that this decision undermines the advances made with the Latin
system is Latin character based. In Morocco, it is seconded by writing system?
the Arabic character based alphabet.
S. C: The result of nearly 50 years of research on Tamazight is
K.I.: Isn't this a pernicious move aiming at the domestication a phonological system derived from the Latin characters which
of Tamazight by imposing a graphical tool while the language to has shown significant progress in the Kabyl area. As far as
be transcribed is not even recognized constitutionally? Kabyl is concerned and more generally as far as Algerian
Tamazight is concerned, the transition to the Latin based system
S. C: Indeed, it’s the carriage before the horse! The question of is sufficiently advanced so that one may not fear either an ob-
the legal status and, subsequently, the cultural and educational struction or regression. There are many publications, a press,
objectives of the teaching of Tamazight were neither clarified literature, associations’ newsletters and magazines which have
nor discussed. And graphic choices are imposed! The goal can gradually used the Latin based system. Started 40 to 50 years
only be an attempt by the dominant spheres and their auxiliaries ago, it has seen some improvements and simplifications based
to take over the Amazigh field by driving this transitional period on our recommendations during the past 20 years. In Morocco,
of Amazigh writing and teaching into a sure dead end. however, where Tamazight writing is less extensive and unsta-
ble, and where competition between the Arabic and Latin based
K.I.: Do you think that in its current state, and taking into ac- scripts exists, the decision to favor the Tifinagh script could
count the means available for research, that the choice of Tifi- have serious negative consequences. It may slow down or block
nagh is the solution to the transcription of Tamazight? the process of dissemination of the Amazigh written expression.
The outcome will depend a lot on the users and in particular on
S. C: As you know, for all noted Amazigh experts who have the ability of the Moroccan Amazigh associations’ movement to
dealt with this question, there is no doubt as to what the answer persevere in the direction it has formerly taken.
is. For my part, and I have explained my position during the
Page 10 The Amazigh Voice Volume 12, Issue 2
K.I.: The two speeches in which King Mohamed VI referred to Amazigh producers in Morocco, and the associations will con-
the Amazigh language took place right after Kabylia’s “Black tinue their work, with determination and tenacity, following the
Spring.” Does this signal fear of seeing the Moroccan Amazigh same path they have already taken. (cid:134)
raise the same questions as those raised by the Kabyls, and put
pressure on the monarchy to attempt integration?

S.C: I believe that this parameter is always present and can be
used to answer this question, and this can be said about Mo-
rocco since 1980. It is clear that in this country, the monarchy,
like all the established political forces, lives in fear of an evolu-
tion “Algerian style” as far as the Amazigh issue is concerned.

In other words, they are afraid the Amazigh would become so-
cially autonomous. This is made explicit in the political dis-
course of those close to the palace: “In this country, things do The Amazighs of Morocco
not happen the way they do in Kabylia because we do not typi-
cally address these issues through radical departures from past
Stripped off their Land
practice. The monarchy integrates and takes into account all of

its subjects…” It is clear that the Moroccan authorities skillfully
“anticipate” and take advantage of the fact that the Amazigh
issue in Morocco does not have the same acuity and social an-
choring as in Algeria. The goal is to try to defuse possible ten- The Moroccan government has recently decided to reacti-
sions by taking some preventive measures that would allow the vate an old colonial law, based on a 1916 decree, to take
government to control and take advantage of the situation. The over the Amazigh ancestral lands of Amelen, Tafrawt and
creation of the IRCAM, as well as the adoption of the Tifinagh
Tahla. The authorities claim that they will develop these
script are part of a strategy which aims at reducing the Amazigh
lands and make them de facto national parks. The real
social and political factor to nothing or close to nothing.
owners, namely the local population, were never consulted

K.I.: Aren't the approaches on this project and was taken by surprise by this decision,
taken by Algeria and Morocco reminiscent of French colonialism procedures in dealing
similar as far as their handling of with people’s lands.
“It has always been the
the Amazigh issue?
users and producers who

Listed as article 4712 in the Official Journal published by
have determined the
S. C: Yes, obviously, even if the
graphical and the Moroccan government, the new law was denounced
chronology and, especially, the
orthographical standard, by the Casablanca Chapter of the Amazigh association Ta-
balance of power are not the
not the government or same in the two countries. In maynut as anti-constitutional, in contradiction with inter-
the administrations.” Algeria, the Amazigh socio- national documents that Morocco has ratified, and a major
political struggle is a reality that blow to the right to individual property.
is solidly anchored, which is not the case in Morocco. But the In its press release, the Tamaynut Casablanca section
authorities of the two countries often use the same ways and
strongly criticizes the government claim that it will de-
means of neutralization. These include disqualification of the
velop the newly designated national parks, and says that
social actors, manipulation, administrative obstruction, direct
the government’s actions will lead to instability in the re-
involvement of the political authority in the management of all
aspects, and especially, the absolute refusal to recognize the gion. Tamaynut called upon the government to protect
Amazigh linguistic and cultural rights. The two countries have the rights of the Amazigh people to their ancestral lands,
engaged in perpetual juggling acts and shams in order to avoid and for the elimination of all colonial laws. Finally, it
posing clearly and answering the question of the legal status of called on all local associations to protest the government’s
the Amazigh language. These two countries, in fact, simply re-
actions and pledged its continued fight for the rights of
fuse to admit the social-linguistic reality, i.e., Tamazight is the
the Amazigh people. (cid:134)
language of the Amazigh and the legal consequences this im-

plies. In other words, the Amazigh people have the right to their
language and culture and Tamazight must be recognized and
granted a legal status identical to that of Arabic.

K.I.: What are your recommendations to the Amazigh move- "No human group can survive if it does not
ment as to what alphabet to use?
first have the will to exist for itself and by

itself.”
S. C: Contrary to appearances, even in a country as centralized
Salem Chaker in a message delivered to the
as France, in terms of language and script, it has always been the participants to the conference organized by the MAK
users and producers (writers, journalists, publishers, editors...) (Movement for the Autonomy of Kabylia) held August
who have determined the graphical and orthographical standard, 18th 2003.
not the government or administrations. Thus, I hope that the