The NTC had recently made a number of statements and declarations in which it mentioned "minorities rights", "Nafousa Lions", and the "protection of minorities" among other descriptive phrases, without specifically mentioning the Berbers and without enlisting Berber as an official language in the constitution. The NTC also said the minority languages will be considered as "national languages". The indigenous Libyan Berbers, however, were angered and quickly reacted with various online posts, Libya.TV debates, a conference in Tripoli, and an open letter to the NTC. So, what is the problem?
Native Berberists say downgrading Berber language to a national status gives the false impression that the language is not indigenous to Libya. For example, nationalising a foreign company does indicate the company is not Libyan. While some Berberists add that foreigners (or aliens: 'an unnaturalised foreign resident') who had acquired Libyan "nationality" in recent years cannot be compared with Berbers who had been in Libya for tens of thousands of years. This means that nationalising something or someone usually indicates the foreign nature of that something or someone. Fair enough; "but they are not aliens", the Berbers say.
What sort of norms that call the "majority" Moroccan Berbers "minority" in their own home?
Berberists also feel marginalised because, they argue, speaking of the indigenous Berber tribes as "minorities" who were afforded protection by the constitution that refused to recognise them not only makes them feel like they are living in a "conservation camp", where tourists can flock in to have a glimpse at the fast-dying clan, but also violates the historical fact in that the Berbers are the original inhabitants of North Africa, long before the arrival of the Arabs in the 7th Century AD. They are "Libyans", they say, and not a "minority"!
Thus Imazighen reject the term "minority" and instead demand from the NTC to recognise them as "people", as "Libyan people", and as "the native people of Libya" (see the open letter sent by the Libyan Berber Congress (ALT) to the National Transitional Council (NTC) on the 17th of September 2011).
On the other hand, other Berberists say there are no "Libyan Arabs" and no "Libyan Berbers", but only (one) Libyan people who came to speak more than one language: Arabic, Berber, Tebo, etc. This attitude is much healthier as it unites the people of Libya as one people while at the same time grants all Libyans their full and equal rights. It is bizarre that this is not recognisably obvious.
Thus Imazighen reject the term "minority" and instead demand from the NTC to recognise them as "people", as "Libyan people", and as "the native people of Libya" (see the open letter sent by the Libyan Berber Congress (ALT) to the National Transitional Council (NTC) on the 17th of September 2011).
On the other hand, other Berberists say there are no "Libyan Arabs" and no "Libyan Berbers", but only (one) Libyan people who came to speak more than one language: Arabic, Berber, Tebo, etc. This attitude is much healthier as it unites the people of Libya as one people while at the same time grants all Libyans their full and equal rights. It is bizarre that this is not recognisably obvious.
If unprotected constitutionally a language may eventually die. On average, one language goes extinct every week in this modern age, simply because of democratic and totalitarian governments' open neglect. Berber language, however, is one of the oldest languages on the surface of the planet.
There are so many countries in the world which have a number of official languages without these countries being divided nor ruled by imperial powers. Democratic countries usually declare a number of languages as official languages, if there are that many, like in India where 23 languages are listed as official languages in the constitution. While dictatorial countries usually dictate one language (often its language - always the ruling language) and downgrade all others - often the indigenous languages. And there are countries that do not list any official language at all.
There are so many countries in the world which have a number of official languages without these countries being divided nor ruled by imperial powers. Democratic countries usually declare a number of languages as official languages, if there are that many, like in India where 23 languages are listed as official languages in the constitution. While dictatorial countries usually dictate one language (often its language - always the ruling language) and downgrade all others - often the indigenous languages. And there are countries that do not list any official language at all.
To read more about these and similar issues please visit:
- Berber Political Movements: http://www.temehu.com/imazighen/berberism.htm
- Libya TV: Revolution Path: http://www.libya.tv/2011/10/ : Berberists debating the official status of Tamazight ('Berber Language')
- Libyan Berber Congress: an open letter to the NTC: http://www.libya-nclo.com/2011Bayanat/حولاستحقاقاتالحقالامازيغيفيليبيا.aspx
