Black Spring

 

Algeria was under French colonization for 130 years, from 1830 to 1962. After independence, Algeria created its first government. This government made the decision to have just two official languages French and Arabic, but They avoided Tamazight, which is the language of Berber people that are also called Amazigh or Imazighen. Berber live in Algeria in a region called la Kabylie. They also have their own flag. The Berber people were doing too much rebelling, but the government never paid attention to their concerns until 2001. A young Kabyle student was arrested by Algerian police and later died inside the police station. This caused large-scale riots in the Kabyle region that lasted for months. During these months, the president gave the authorization to kill and arrest all protesters. A lot of people died and some of them were teenagers. This event, called Black Spring, changed Algeria, changed my family and me, and affected us in profound way.

When I was growing up, Tamazight, my native language, was not allowed at school. When I was in school, teachers were just taught Arabic and French, and it affected all the Kabyle regions. Since Algeria’s independence, the Berber people were asking to incorporate Tamazight at school, but the government never agreed. In 2001, people in my region started to riot. I remember being on the balcony of my house when people were fighting with thousands of police for our rights. The military did not have any problem hurting Berber people that were outside protesting, and their age did not matter. I saw old and young men bleeding and hurt. I was only six years old, and I was giving water and food from my window to these people that I considered heroes. The refusal to teach Tamzighth in all over Algeria made separation between Berber and Arabic people. When my family and I traveled from one city to the other, we had to speak Arabic. My city is called Béjaïa. For example, when my family and I went to the capital, we had to speak Arabic since the people did not make any effort to speak or understand Tamazight. I always blame them and the government for having me speaking Arabic and having my education in Arabic and refusing my language.

In addition, the government did not see the importance of considering my Berber culture either because my culture was also different. Barbere had their own traditions, and holidays were not recognized on the rest of Algeria calendar. I remember going to school and my parents going to work even though it was the New Year in the Berber calendar. That day was supposed to be important, but it went on as a normal day. On the other hand, the food was also different. There is one dish that is famous in Algeria, called Couscous. Berber people made the same plate but in different ways and with different ingredients. For example, Berber couscous is made with special beans that are not used in Algerian couscous.  

Furthermore, before the revolution, Algeria had a lot of racism. Arabs did not like Berber people, and the Berbers did not like the Arabs. It was not common to see a mixed couple. Most Berber women did not think been married an Arabic man. I remember as a child during the riots I was thinking of never being or friends with someone that was not Berber. Of course, with time I realized that ethnicity does not matter, but for my family they still think the same way even though the rest of Algeria has slowly changed their mind. For example, according to the point of view of religion for Arabs, Berber people were not considered Muslim.

To conclude, during this historic event in 2001, Kabylie lost a lot of patriots, and my family and I were affected psychologically.  This event affected our mindset and our way of thinking. On the other hand, the Black Spring had a positive effect on a lot of area in Algeria. At the end the government agreed with some Kabyle commands. Tamazight started to be taught in all schools all over Algeria and Arabic people were more open to the Berere culture. The Berber New Year is now celebrated throughout the country, and it is considered a holiday. Racism has decreased, and currently half of people in the capital are Berber. Arabs and Berber couples are now common and accepted in all families. This event has taught me that the difference and separation between people is not just from one country to another, but sometimes a bad government and political ideas can separate people inside the same country.