The Amazigh People in Libya: Indigenous Roots and Modern Struggles

In the hills of Jabal Nafusa, the streets of Zuwara, and the oasis towns of Ghadames and Awjila, the Amazigh flag waves once again. For decades, Libya’s indigenous people were silenced under the Arab nationalist regime. Today, they are slowly writing themselves back into the history of Libya. But what does it mean to be Amazigh in Libya? The answer relies in centuries of resilience, survival, and a growing movement of resistance.

Who are the Amazigh of Libya?

Imazighen, the plural form of the word Amazigh, are the indigenous people of North Africa predating the Arab conquests by thousands of years. Though still widely referred to as Berbers, many Amazigh within recent years have rejected this label because of the implication that they are uncivilized. Originally, this name originates from the Greek “barbaros” meaning people who are not Greek, “foreigners”, or “uncivilized”. It was later adopted by the Romans and Arabs.

The Amazigh region encompasses the Maghreb area, which is known to them as Tamazgha. It extends from the Siwa Oasis in Egypt to the Canary Islands in the west. From the Mediterranean Sea in the North to the Niger and Senegal rivers in the south. If Tamazgha were unified, it would encompass approximately 7,000,000 square kilometers, making it the 7th largest country in the world and one of the largest cultural regions.

Language as Resistance

Language is central to the Amazigh identity. Tamazight, which is a member of the Afro-Asiatic language family, was passed down orally for generations and is now being standardized, written, and taught. Reviving Tamazight is not just a cultural act; it’s also a political statement. It challenges the idea that Arabic is the only legitimate national language of Libya and pushes back against decades of enforced silence and erasure. Despite this progress, Tamazight is still not recognized in Libya’s constitution.

Erased by Nationalism

Under Muammar Gaddafi’s regime, from 1969 till 2011, Libya was declared a 100% Arab country. The state banned Tamazight, suppressed Amazigh names and traditions, and refused to recognize the existence of the Amazigh identity in official records. The Amazigh identity was considered heresy and against the Islamic ideology of contemporary Libya. It was framed as foreign, even though it is indigenous to the land and practiced by Libyan Muslims. 

After the 2011 revolution, Amazigh communities were among the first to rise up. They played a huge role in the liberation of Western Libya as they launched a powerful cultural renaissance. This occurred through the reopening of Tamazight-language schools, returning the Amazigh flag to public places, and nourishing radio stations and festivals that celebrated Amazigh traditions. Yet despite these wins, the Amazigh identity is still not as legitimate as the importance of Arab and Islamic unity.

Libya is still shaped by a colonial mindset that equates the legitimacy of rule with the Arab and Islamic identity. Muslims make up Libya’s religious community, and the Amazigh people themselves practice Islam. Yet identity and religion often clash as Amazighs are being excluded from the national narrative and treated as less Libyan for not being Arab, even though the majority practice Abrahamic religions. Being Amazigh in this context is to resist this national uniformity and narrow definition of citizenship. It means asserting that one can be both Muslim and not Arab. Libyan and Amazigh.

Traditional Amazigh Tattoos: Memory, Identity, and Resistance

Traditional Amazigh tattoos are among the most distinctive aspects of their cultural identity. For the Amazighs, tattooing is an integral part of their traditions and society. As much as history was preserved by being transmitted orally, women carried the duty of preserving and transmitting these customs. The different tattoo patterns reflect the various changes of people’s lives, as well as their life cycle, and the fertility of both nature and men.

Some researchers believe that Amazigh tattoos first appeared to serve as a protective talisman worn on the skin to ward off evil. But the ornamental aspect is equally present. The appropriate age for tattooing varies as well as the placement of the tattoo on the body plays a major role in the meaning behind it. A tattoo can mean anything from a social status, to a personal message, or simply a preference. Common symbols include the ⵣ (yaz) symbol representing freedom and lines across the chin, which is a sign of beauty and adulthood.

Nevertheless, tattooing has declined significantly due to religious pressures and the modernization of society. Because of this religious taboo, the new generation of Amazighs has resorted to temporary tattoos like henna and body pencil drawings as alternatives to the traditional permanent tattoos made by scarification. The new generation are rediscovering and embracing the Amazigh tattooing practice as a form of cultural expression and a way to connect with their identity and heritage, as well as honoring their ancestors.

The Architecture of Amazigh Libya

The architecture of Amazigh communities in Libya is a powerful testament to their relationship with their land and their cultural resilience. Amazigh structures are not just built to serve their purpose of shelter; they’re also designed to preserve identity, protect community life, and withstand harsh environmental conditions. Their traditional buildings are often as sustainable as they are deeply symbolic.

Ghadames: The Oasis Fortress

The oasis city of Ghadames is often called the “pearl of the desert”, as it is one of the most innovative indigenous urban environments in North Africa. The entire city is designed for environmental efficiency and social cohesion. It is made of thick walls made of mud, lime, and palm wood that insulates homes against the desert’s high temperatures and freezing nights. Underground alleys and rooftop walkways allowed Amazigh women to circulate through the city away from the public male view, giving them both freedom and privacy. The houses are connected and carefully aligned to allow airflow and light while reducing direct exposure to the sun. Each home features elaborate geometric decoration and spiritual symbols such as the  ⵣ (yaz) symbol. 

Before Ghadames was considered a heritage site, it flourished as a trading hub of swapping exotic goods like ostrich feathers, gold, as well as weapons and horses. Ghadames is strategically located at the borders where Tunisia, Algeria, and Libya meet. Thus, this town became a meeting point of civilizations. Today, Ghadames is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as it represents a living archive of Amazigh heritage. It has no permanent residents; however, it still attracts some locals and tourists enjoying its beauty.

Jabal Nafusa

Nestled in the hills of northwestern Libya lies the home to many Amazigh villages such as Nalut, Yefren, and Jadu. Jabal Nafusa carries the stories of survival, resistance, and cultural pride. This mountain drop is the heartland of Libya’s Amazigh communities, and a living archive of traditions that have endured the centuries. 

One of the most fascinating features of Jabal Nafus is Qsar Al-Haj in Nalut. Fortified communal granaries that once stored food, valuables, and even served as defensive structures. It is built like a honeycomb structure perched on a cliff, with 114 rooms, each belonging to a family or clan. Stocked with olive oil, grains, and dried figs. It’s a monument to community, trust, and planning for the future. The locals believe that the 114 chambers are used symbolically to reflect the number of Surahs in the Qur’an. However, there are currently 119 chambers after 5 were split into 10 due to inheritance disputes.

As for the villages, you’ll immediately notice something different. Houses are hugging the mountainsides, made of stone and mud. They’re not flashy, but their brilliance and practicality in design can be seen. They’re built to be cool in the summer, warm in winter, and safe during times of conflict.

The Flavor of the Culture

If Jabal Nafusa is the heart of Amazigh life, then Amazigh food is the soul. The cuisine is rooted in simplicity and is shaped by the centuries of living in harmony with the land. Thus, one can conclude that Amazigh food is all about flavour, function, and connection. 

Let’s start with the Berber tagine, a traditional dish simmered over low heat. Often made with lamb but could vary to veal, chicken, or exclusively vegetables. The ingredients get spiced and drizzled with olive oil, and off you go.

You also have the Usban or Osban, which is a traditional sausage stuffed with a mixture of rice, herbs, lamb, and chopped liver and heart. Served with what? Couscous! No Amazigh kitchen is complete without couscous. But here’s the twist: while Arab-style couscous is often cooked with ghee, the Amazigh version uses olive oil, giving it a lighter, earthier flavor. This subtle difference shows the identity and traditions of Amazigh cuisine.

Let’s not forget the vegetarian staples either! You’ve got zaalouk (smokey eggplant dip), sharmoula (pepper and tomato salad), and loubia (spiced white beans). The side dishes the land has given us

Both the architecture and the food of Jabal Nafusa and its people are more than just cultural markers. They are acts of resistance in a country where the Amazigh identity has been denied for a long time. These traditions are daily declarations of survival and endurance as the Amazigh of Libya are holding on to their past and reshaping the possibilities of their future.

The Icon of Resistance: Queen Dihya (Kahina)

Among the most enduring symbols of Amazigh resistance is Queen Dihya, often referred to by the Arabic name Kahina, which directly translates to seer. Queen Dihya was said to possess the gift of seeing into the future. She is a symbol of resistance as she represented a time where North Africa was reborn and regenerated to what it is now, rather than what it was.

The Story of Queen Dihya is told by a variety of cultures, with each story offering a different perspective. She is constantly changing within these legends from a Berber, to a Jew, to a Christian, Byzantine, and even Arab. The first mention of Queen Dihya in history was among the writings of mainly Muslim historians who have depicted her as a brutally oppressive ruler in whom the Arab Islamist Conquest sought to liberate the people from. These depictions of the anti-hero non-muslim female ruler justified the East’s conquest of other lands. However, when the Amazighs regained some of their autonomy, their accounts of Queen Dihya took on a different perspective. North African historians changed the narrative around Queen Dihya, writing that while she was relentlessly rebelling against the Arabs and took some of their men as prisoners, she was still a kind ruler. It is believed that she spared every single Arab prisoner except for one, whom she adopted as her own.

Today, Queen Dihya is embraced by Amazigh women and activists across North Africa as a powerful symbol of anti-colonial resistance. She represents not only opposition to foreign conquest, but also feminine strength, Indigenous pride, and the refusal to be erased.

A Future for Tamazgha in Libya

To this very day, the Amazighs remain unrecognized in Libya’s constitution. Many of their communities are boycotting national elections in protest and demanding to be recognized. Without their political inclusion, their cultural battle of survival will remain. However, with the rise of Amazigh activism through awareness blogs and the resurgence of ancestral tattoos, this indigenous identity is not fading; it’s flourishing. As Libya continues to search for stability and meaning after decades of colonialism and dictatorship, one truth remains. There can be no complete Libya without embracing its indigenous past.