Early Inhabitants of Algeria

The Traditions and Greatest Cultural Impact of the Original Settlers

Apr 4, 2009

The original inhabitants of Algeria were the Berbers. Berbers were commonly found on the northern cost of Africa. Because of that the area was known as the Barbary Coast.

Modern day Algerians are descendants of the Berbers. However, in the 7th century the Arabs invaded and conquered Algeria. Still, the Berbers were able to resist the Arab invasion. But they were relegated to the mountainous regions of the country. As a result, they were able to preserve their language and culture. The Arab brought with them Islam and the Arabic language. The new language and religion had far reaching effects on Algeria. It led to the transformation of Algeria socially and economically. Though the Berbers accepted Islam, they nonetheless preserved their traditions.

Greatest Cultural Impact

Although, the Arabs had the greatest cultural impact on Algeria, they were not the only people to have occupied Algeria. Prior to the arrival of the Arabs, the Phoenicians and the Romans has occupied Algeria. Phoenicians had established settlements on the coast of Algeria as far back as 8th century BC. On the other hand, the Romans had occupied Algeria after 146 BC. During this time, Christianity, trade and agriculture flourished. Wheat and olives farmed in Algeria were exported to Rome. Unlike the Romans who were farmers, the Arabs were nomadic herders. Consequently, they established a pastoral type of economy.

Nonetheless, in the 15th century the Berber dynasty began to decline. The decline attracted Spain and Turkey; both of whom wanted to occupy Algeria. This results in a conflict between the two countries. However, it is the Turks who won and subsequently established their influence over Algeria. It can be said that Algeria becomes part of the Turkish Ottoman Empire. Turkish pirates, or corsairs as they were known, seized territories along the Algerian coast. These territories become protectorates of the Ottoman Empire. The first corsair to establish himself on the coast of Algeria did so in 1512.

Ottoman Empire

For a period of 300 years, Algeria was an Ottoman Empire province under the regency ruled by Khair ad Din, with Algiers as the capital. With the establishment of Ottoman rule in the whole of Algeria, governors were assigned to rule. The governors were known as pasha. Turkish became the certified language. The Arabs and the Berbers were locked out of the government. In most instances, the Turkish pasha’s ruled over them. However, in 1671, a new leader known as a dey took over control of Algeria and replaced the pasha as the ruler of Algeria. In the 1830s, Algeria was occupied by the French.

Declaration of a Jihad

Nonetheless, just like before when the Turks occupied Algeria, the locals did not hold any political or economic power. Instead, it was the minority white settlers who had the privilege. Because of this, the relation ship between the French and the Algerians was strained such that in 1839, Abd al-Qadir, declared a jihad (holy war) against the French occupants.

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