Morocco is considered the land of the fiercely independent Berbers, the “Lords of the Atlas.” Berbers are the indigenous peoples of North Africa west of the Nile who have made their homes in the isolated High Atlas Mountains of Morocco for for at least 5,000 years. The Arabs didn’t arrive until the Islamic conquest in the 7th century when they invaded North Africa and forced Berbers to assimilate, or flee into the Atlas mountains. Their music, dance, language and religion, is far removed from the Arabs and Berbers remain very sensitive about this issue. Aziz, along with the majority of Amazigh, perceive the Berbers as being persecuted by the Arabs. This short list of Berber information was given to us by Aziz along with his views on the subject.

- Berbers prefer to be known as Amazigh, “free men”;

- Berbers have to choose an Arab name from a list (even today although King Mohammed VI is trying to change this) and can only keep the family name;

- Berbers usually have lighter skin then Arabs;

- The Berber symbol “Z”/zed means “we are free” and resembles a man.

- There is a Berber upside down triangle used in jewelry and decoration. A Berber woman wears one if she is single, two if married;

- There are 275 different Berber tribes;

- Farmers in the Rif Mountains support themselves by growing hashish. It is against the law and a criminal offense to both grow and smoke hashish. A jail offense if caught. According to Aziz, Morocco grows excellent hashish.

- The Berbers living in the High Atlas Mountains are cut off by snow the entire winter. Because of this, there is a 50% infant mortality rate at childbirth and it’s difficult to find exact figures on how many women also die in childbirth. Aziz’ mother had 16 children with only eight living.

- Perhaps 80% of the Moroccan population is racially Berber but only half of those people live Berber lifestyles.

- Berbers have adopted Islam as their primary religion, but continue to speak Tamazight in their villages and among themselves.

- The Atlas Mountains house relatively pure Berber populations who live in earthen adobe houses. The red, ochre and earth tones colors give the impression that the village is part of the earth (which it is) relieved only by the green of date palms and fields…