Early Berbers civilization in the Northern Africa

Except Egypt the Berbers spread thorough out the width and length of the four North African countries namely, Morroco, Tunisia, Algeria and Libya

These four countries are known as the  Maghrebian states.

The word al margraheb means the West this name was given to the four north

African countries by the the Arab geographers.

We trace the origin of the Berbers far back in the year 800BC when early hunters and gatherers settled in the North Africa for their daily activities.

The name Berbers comes from a Roman Word “Beriberi ” which means foreigners.

The countries were known for their similar characteristics such as

Artistic works; The early civilizations of the North Africa countries can be linked to their artistic expression of painting on walls of Bricks around Tassili plateau as well as engraving.They also made a variety of vases (pot) which were used for domestic and economic purposes.Their handicrafts revealed to to their progress from simple to complex items.

Architectural work was one of the significant activity that contributed to the development of their early civilizations.

Evidence of the Berbers skill is seen in variety of tombs.The most famous is called the tomb of Christian woman located in West of Algeria. The tomb was built before the advent of Christianity in North Africa.

Religious as indigenous civilization also play an important  part. The Berbers were mature worshippers, whose cult was sentenced on the sun, mountains,water and trees.

The Berbers believed in both human and animal sacrifice to please the the gods, others families used black animals for similar sacrifice,the main aim of the sacrifice was to please the gods. They also believe in life after death and existence of evil spirits.

Kinship and Heriditary;The system of Kinship started by the Berbers into three Kinship of Kingdom of Mauritania,Massaeylin and Massylin.

The Berbers kings were regarded as divine later their in civilization.

By 700BC the Greeks exerted a lot influence on the Berbers especially in arts, military, science and weapons.The Greeks did not hesitate to pass and learn skills to the Berbers such as metal technology and minting of coins. With their iron deposit, the Berbers minted coins with the images of their kings on it and produced iron tools tools for both domestic and industrial use.

Furthermore,the Greek influenced the Berbers on other side of Literacy and in social life.

The civilization of the Berbers was also influenced by the Romans.

The Romans clashed with the cathaginians in their attempt to dominate the North Africa. The Berbers were divided in support of with the attempt of the room power of syphas on the other hand.

King Massinians who fought in the support of the Roman, won the battle by 146AD.The Berbers benefited from from the Romans in terms of Growth in Agriculture, Industrialization and Engineering Technology.

With the inversion of the Roman empire by the Berbers in the 5th Century AD as it was easy to took control of the Berbers.

In the the 8th Century AD the unity of the Arabs empire was destroyed with the dispute over the election of caliph (head of Islamic community).

The division led to the establishment of of separate and semi autonomous caliphate in Morroco and Tunisia.

Later the whole North Africa was ruled from Egypt where the capital was moved.

Islam culture began to influence  the Berbers early civilizations in the North Africa.

By the end of the of 15th Century AD, Islamic schools established to promote Islamic norms and values in the North African countries.