Berriane
Encyclopedia
Berriane is a medium-sized town in the south of Algeria
and the capital of the district (Daïra) of the same name in the province(Wilaya) of Ghardaïa
(Tamazight: Taghardayt). It is located in the north of the Sahara
desert, in the extreme North of the wilaya of Ghardaïa, 554 km south of Algiers
and 43 km north of Ghardaïa City. It occupies an area of 2.250 km². It is crossed by the National Road 01, one of the country's important communication lines. In addition to its regional importance from the demographic, economic and cultural point of view, the commune of Berriane occupies a strategic position, connecting the cities of the South to those of the North.
Its green palm grove forms a beautiful oasis
which offers to its urban environment a microclimate in an area characterized by an arid climate.
Although an ancient Berber town, with a majority Zenata
Ibadi population, in recent years many Chaambi
(Bedouin) Arabs have settled there. In march of 2008 and february 2009 it was the scene of heavy riots between Berbers and Arabs, in which at least 4 native Berbers were killed.
origin, who are descended from Garamantes
berber ancestors
Indeed, the history of the town of Berriane can form only integral part of that of the area of MZab. It is chronologically the last founded city of all the other cities of Mzab.
The reconstitution of the pass of the area of Mzab will make possible thanks to scientific research a very clear vision of the history of this Algerian community having preserved until our days its religion principles its ibadi rite which principles are inspired from the pure islam and its language; culture; customs and habits which, mainly, go back to several centuries. These men who kept their ancestral language-culture jealously can clarify the previous periods and cause a tangle in the research carried out by the specialists as for the establishment in a prehistory and a history suitable for Mzab.
In addition to its vocation first agricultural, Berriane whose demographic size exceeds now the 39.000 inhabitants, is also an attractive touristy city (existence of engravings and rock's frescos dating from prehistory, of inscriptions in Tamazight alphabet “Tifinagh”, of historic buildings and architectural similar to the other cities of the M'Zab which has an internationanal fame, and merit to be classified by the UNESCO
as a world cultural heritage.
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
and the capital of the district (Daïra) of the same name in the province(Wilaya) of Ghardaïa
Ghardaïa
Ghardaïa is the capital city of Ghardaïa Province, Algeria. The commune of Ghardaïa has a population of 104,645, with 82,500 in the main city according to 2005 estimates. It is located in northern-central Algeria in the Sahara Desert and lies along the left bank of the Wadi Mzab...
(Tamazight: Taghardayt). It is located in the north of the Sahara
Sahara
The Sahara is the world's second largest desert, after Antarctica. At over , it covers most of Northern Africa, making it almost as large as Europe or the United States. The Sahara stretches from the Red Sea, including parts of the Mediterranean coasts, to the outskirts of the Atlantic Ocean...
desert, in the extreme North of the wilaya of Ghardaïa, 554 km south of Algiers
Algiers
' is the capital and largest city of Algeria. According to the 1998 census, the population of the city proper was 1,519,570 and that of the urban agglomeration was 2,135,630. In 2009, the population was about 3,500,000...
and 43 km north of Ghardaïa City. It occupies an area of 2.250 km². It is crossed by the National Road 01, one of the country's important communication lines. In addition to its regional importance from the demographic, economic and cultural point of view, the commune of Berriane occupies a strategic position, connecting the cities of the South to those of the North.
Its green palm grove forms a beautiful oasis
Oasis
In geography, an oasis or cienega is an isolated area of vegetation in a desert, typically surrounding a spring or similar water source...
which offers to its urban environment a microclimate in an area characterized by an arid climate.
Although an ancient Berber town, with a majority Zenata
Zenata
Zenata were an ethnic group of North Africa, who were technically an Eastern Berber group and who are found in Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco....
Ibadi population, in recent years many Chaambi
Chaamba
The Chaamba are a large Sulaymi Arab tribe of the northern Sahara in Algeria. They live around Métlili, El Golea, Ouargla, El Oued, and the Great Western Erg, including Timimoun and Béni Abbès While traditionally they were nomads specialised in raising camels, most have settled in the oases over...
(Bedouin) Arabs have settled there. In march of 2008 and february 2009 it was the scene of heavy riots between Berbers and Arabs, in which at least 4 native Berbers were killed.
Culture
Berriane is known by its pretty handicraft carpets and its artisanal products manufactured by a highly qualified manpower.Also it is known by its folklore and culture heritage and ancestral culinary art.and architect.History
Archaeological, prehistoric and historical testimonies indicate that the area of Berriane was inhabited since at least the Neolithic era. The population of Berriane would be in its majority of zenataZenata
Zenata were an ethnic group of North Africa, who were technically an Eastern Berber group and who are found in Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco....
origin, who are descended from Garamantes
Garamantes
The Garamantes were a Saharan people who used an elaborate underground irrigation system, and founded a prosperous Berber kingdom in the Fezzan area of modern-day Libya, in the Sahara desert. They were a local power in the Sahara between 500 BC and 700 AD.There is little textual information about...
berber ancestors
Indeed, the history of the town of Berriane can form only integral part of that of the area of MZab. It is chronologically the last founded city of all the other cities of Mzab.
The reconstitution of the pass of the area of Mzab will make possible thanks to scientific research a very clear vision of the history of this Algerian community having preserved until our days its religion principles its ibadi rite which principles are inspired from the pure islam and its language; culture; customs and habits which, mainly, go back to several centuries. These men who kept their ancestral language-culture jealously can clarify the previous periods and cause a tangle in the research carried out by the specialists as for the establishment in a prehistory and a history suitable for Mzab.
In addition to its vocation first agricultural, Berriane whose demographic size exceeds now the 39.000 inhabitants, is also an attractive touristy city (existence of engravings and rock's frescos dating from prehistory, of inscriptions in Tamazight alphabet “Tifinagh”, of historic buildings and architectural similar to the other cities of the M'Zab which has an internationanal fame, and merit to be classified by the UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
as a world cultural heritage.