Berriane

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[edit] Geography

Berriane (from Tamazight: Bergan) is a town in Algeria and the capital of the district (Daïra) of the same name in the province(Wilaya) of Ghardaïa (Tamazight: Taghardayt). It is located in the north of the Sahara desert, in the extreme North of the wilaya of Ghardaïa, 554 km south of Algiers and 43 km north of Ghardaïa City. It occupies an area of 2.250 km². It is crossed by the National Road 01, one of the country's important communication lines. In addition to its regional importance from the demographic, economic and cultural point of view, the commune of Berriane occupies a strategic position, connecting the cities of the South to those of North.

Its green palm grove forms a beautiful Oasis which offers to its urban environment a microclimate in an area characterized by an arid climate.

[edit] Culture

Berriane is known by its pretty handicarft carpets and its artisanal products manufactured by a highly qualified manpower.Also it is known by its folklore and culture heritage and ancestral culinary art.

[edit] History

Archaeological, prehistoric and historical testimonies indicate that the area of Berriane was inhabited since at least the Neolithic era. The population of Berriane would be in its majority of zenat origin, who are descended from Garamantes

Formerly this city was only inhabited by a Berber population speaking Tamazight of the Zenat branch. Those are Muslims following the Ibadi rite. Today it is also home to Arabic-speaking former nomads.the lasts are also Muslims but they follow the sunni rite.

Indeed, the history of the town of Berriane can form only integral part of that of the area of MZab. It is chronologically the last founded city of all the other cities of Mzab. Let us note however that Mzab, whose the ascending direct ones are the old known semi nomad populations speaking Tamazight under the name of the mouatazila, appeared in the history as an organized town company more than one millennium ago; but, we must also announce that no assumption of settlement Arabic-speaking persons former to Mzab can be supposed.

The reconstitution of passed of the area of Mzab will make possible thanks to scientific research a very clear vision of the history of this Algerian company having preserved until our days its Tamazight language, its culture, its religion principles,its ibadirite which principles are inspired from the pure islam, its customs and habits which, mainly, go back to several millennia. These men who kept their ancestral language-culture jealously can clarify the previous periods and cause a tangle in the research carried out by the specialists as for the establishment in a prehistory and a history suitable for Mzab.

In addition to its vocation first agricultural, Berriane whose demographic size exceeds now the 47.000 inhabitants, is also an attractive touristy city (existence of engravings and rock's frescos dating from prehistory, of inscriptions in Tamazight alphabet “Tifinagh”, of historic buildings and architectural of international fame).