Ancient Berber Traditions
The Berbers are the indigenous people of North Africa in areas west of the Nile Valley. They have lived in the area for at least as long as records exist. Many visitors to North Africa will have opportunities to meet Berbers, especially those on Toubkal trekking holidays and other treks and tours into the Atlas Mountains.
Many of the mountain Berbers’ ways of life have remained largely unchanged for centuries, or more. One significant way in which they have changed since ancient times is religion: the majority of Berbers are Muslim. Some older folk traditions remain, but most of these beliefs and practices are no longer current among even the remote Berbers encountered on off-the-beaten-track Toubkal trekking holidays. The following are a sampling of these ancient traditions.
Cult of the Dead
The famous ancient historian Herodotus, writing in the 5th century BC, reported that the desert people near Siwa (in Egypt) considered the spirits of their most righteous and brave ancestors to be divine. They consulted them in times of need, and afterwards slept in their tombs, for the responses would come in their dreams. The Roman geographer Pomponius Mela, writing in the 1st century AD, wrote of a similar practice among the people of what is now Libya.
Some of the ancient Berber tombs remain intact to this day, most famously the pyramidal tombs of Medracen and Mauretania in modern-day Algeria – too great a diversion for the most popular North African holidays, such as Marrakech tours and Toubkal trekking holidays, but they are well worth a visit for the archaeological enthusiast.
Rock Worship
Many prehistoric peoples considered rocks to be holy, and this includes the Berbers. Several writers, including Apuleius in the 2nd century AD and Saint Augustine, remarked on rock-worship among North Africans. It is unknown whether this played a role in the cult of dead, or in star-worship. The best known rock monument in Northwest Africa is Mzora in Morocco, a circle of megaliths surrounding a tumulus. It is believed that the mythic King Antaeus lies within the tumulus. For those on Toubkal trekking holidays and other Moroccan tours and holidays, Mzora might make a fascinating side-trip.
Solar and Lunar Worship
Those struggling under the hot African sun on Toubkal trekking holidays may wonder how anyone could worship the sun; but according to the ancient sources the Berbers traditionally gave the sun and moon prayers, thanks and sacrifices. Herodotus wrote of the sacrifices: “They begin with the ear of the victim, which they cut off and throw over their house: this done, they kill the animal by twisting the neck. They sacrifice to the Sun and Moon, but not to any other god. This worship is common to all the Libyans.” (Histories, Book IV, 168–198.) Cicero, of the 1st century BC, also describes a man giving thanks to sun in On the Republic.
Jude Limburn Turner is the Marketing Manager for Mountain Kingdoms, an adventure tour company who run a unique Toubkal trekking holiday in Morocco. They offer treks and tours worldwide, including destinations in North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Central and South East Asia.
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