The Berbers are a people spread over nearly the whole of Northern Africa, from whom the name Barbary was derived. The chief branches into which the Berbers are divided are, first, the Amazirgh or Amazigh, of Northern Morocco. They were traditionally for the most part quite independent of the former sultans of Morocco, and lived partly under chieftains and hereditary princes and partly in small republican communities. Second, the Shuluh, Shillooh, or Shellakah, who inhabited the south of Morocco. They were more highly civilized than the Amazirgh. Third, the Kabyles in Algeria and Tunis; and fourth, the Berbers of the Sahara, who inhabit the oases. Among the Sahara Berbers the most remarkable are the Beni-Mzab and the Tuaregs. To these we may also add the Guanches of the Canary Islands, now extinct, but undoubtedly of the same race.
The Berbers generally are about the middle height; their complexion is brown, and sometimes almost black, with brown and glossy hair. They are sparely built, but robust and graceful; the features approach the European type. Their language has affinities to the Semitic group, but Arabic is widely spoken. They are believed to represent the ancient Mauritanians, Numidians, Gaetulians, etc. The Berbers traditionally lived in huts or houses, and practised various industries. Thus they were known to smelt iron, copper, and lead, manufacture gun-barrels, implements of husbandry, etc., knives, swords, gunpowder, and a species of black soap. Some of the tribes bred mules, asses, and stock in considerable numbers, but many of the Berbers traditionally live by plunder. Research Berber
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People
Research Berber