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Algeria

Culture & History

Personality, Culture, & Identity

Algeria is a huge country in terms of land, but it is relatively forgotten to those who live outside its borders. Even among its neighbors, Algeria is the lost brother who generally fails to attract headlines or tourists. More important than power, influence, or political sway, the Algerians have primarily been more interested in preserving their lifestyle and personal freedoms than they have been in spreading their influence.

Although Algeria has fallen under foreign powers, they seem more interested in living their lives and focusing on their lifestyle than they have ever been interested in overthrowing these foreign rulers. For some time Turkish pirates ruled over the coast and later the French took power, but only after the country was destroyed by the Allied and Axis powers during World War II did any true independence movement arise. This delay in independence wasn't done due to a lack of ambition, but rather due to a relative lack of importance placed on politics.

Historically, the Algerians identified only with their local ethnicity, language, or region, but this is changing as more and more people are viewing themselves as being "Algerian," but what this means is widely debated. While these differing ethnic and religious groups want to be "Algerian" each seems to want to define that by their own culture and language; this includes the Arabs, Berbers, French, Muslims, Christians, etc. So today the people may tell you that each is an "Algerian," but few will agree what that means other than holding citizenship in Algeria.

History

The people of modern day Algeria originate from the Berbers and dozens of other ethnic peoples. Being located on the Mediterranean Sea coast the coast was occupied seafaring people, including the Phoenicians who ruled Carthage, which was located in modern day Tunisia.

After Carthage fell in 146 BC it took a couple hundred years before the Romans established a base in Africa and eventually entered Algeria. Once the Romans did arrive to rule over the local Berbers, the Romans settled in the region as the coasts became Christianized and it became the recipient land for immigrating Jews. Meanwhile, many Berbers remained isolated in the mountains.

In the 600s the Arabs overran much of North Africa, reaching Algeria and converting many of the people to Islam. Despite the Berbers' conversion to Islam, the Berbers and Arabs maintained two separate ethnicities as they rarely intermarried. Despite this Arab control, little of the Arab influence reached the Berbers other than their conversion to Islam.

In the 1000s a second wave of Arabs entered Algeria, but this group made a much stronger and permanent impact on the people and culture. It was at this time that many of the Arabs settled in the region and the Arabic language became more common. This Arab rule became more solidified compared to the past, but still wasn't a unifying entity as many of the Berbers remained isolated and essentially free from direct Arab rule.

The 1500s brought in new leadership in what is today Algeria when the Ottoman Turks arrived. Shortly after the Ottomans arrived, the Spanish arrived on the coast and these two foreign groups started fighting for power in the region. The Ottomans soon realized that the most effective way to control the North Africa coast was to allow their merchants and seafarers to pirate the coast. The North African coast, also known as the Barbary Coast became protected by these Ottoman Turks who ravaged passing ships and demanded money for safe passage.

As these pirates became more and more powerful, the Ottomans granted some of these pirates power over the coastal lands as well. Perhaps the most famous of these ruling pirates was Khair ad Din, also known as "Barbarossa" or "Red Beard." Barbarossa ruled over Algiers and pushed the Turkish language and culture on the people as Arabic and Berber were suppressed.

After centuries of successful control over the Barbary Coast, the Ottoman Turks began to lose power and control in the early 1800s. Spain and France were both interested in colonizing the region as both those countries along with the Dutch, Germans, Russians, and Italians among others tired of the pirate raids on their ships crossing the Mediterranean Sea. Soon after, two Barbary Wars broke out with both the United States and European powers. At the conclusion of these wars, French entered the region and colonized Algeria.

Under French rule, modern day Algeria received improved infrastructure, communication, and education. However, these changes were not well received in Algeria. The Berbers viewed it as an invasion on their way of life as many of these benefits were also restricted from many Arabs. Also during this time many French and Jews settled in Algeria and they became the most powerful and influential people in the country.

In the early 1900s the people began to tire of French rule so fought for independence. Despite these independence demands, the relationship with the French remained good and the locals Algerians generally supported France during World War II, perhaps only to gain goodwill. Unfortunately, for the locals, the region was overrun by the Germans during the war, then re-taken by the French and Allied forces, destroying much of the country. As the war was about to end, the Algerians rose their independence demands and the French countered by killing many of this movement's leaders.

In 1954 war broke out and lasted until 1962 when the Algerians were given freedom; at this time most Europeans living in Algeria left. Between this emigration and the destruction of the country during the war, the new independent government had an uphill battle and was quickly removed.

From independence to the late 1970s the country was essentially a military state with no political freedom. Until that point no other parties were allowed to operate and since that time, even with political freedom, most candidates have accused the government of electoral fraud.

In 1992 the ruling government and party finally lost control. As elections approached and it appeared they were to lose power, the elections were cancelled and the country fell into civil war. The war effectively ended in 1995 with the election of a new president, although this election was also followed by accusations of fraud. Violence continued in smaller doses throughout the 1990s, but has since essentially ended, although these battles haven't created an open, free, or fair government.

Dress & Behavior

As a primarily Muslim country, there are a number of religious laws which should be obeyed by everyone in Algeria, including tourists.

It is considered inappropriate for women to leave their hair uncovered, however this has almost entirely changed in Algeria, especially among foreigners. Women covering their heads will show great respect to their culture, however most Algerians understand if you don't cover your hair.

Both women and men are expected to cover their legs and shoulders; showing your knees can be offensive. 3/4 length pants, like Capris and short sleeve shirts are only looked down upon by strict Muslims, however wearing full length pants and long sleeves at all times is the best course of action. Staying at a seaside resort often times allows these rules to be ignored, but follow the example of locals in these places.

Islamic law forbids pork products and alcohol. Being a fairly liberal Muslim country, drinking alcohol is not completely unheard of by the locals, but public drinking or intoxication is strictly forbidden. Pork products are difficult to find in Algeria since there is little market for pork. Avoiding these foods is easy due to its inaccessibility. To learn more about dining etiquette in Algeria, visit the Algerians Food page.

This page was last updated: November, 2011