The Berbers of Morocco: A History of Resistance

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From the Rif War to the rebellion of 1958, the Berbers (Imazighen) have played a central role in the history of Moroccan resistance to colonialism in the twentieth century. This book provides an in-depth overview of Berber resistance to the French campaigns of 'Pacification', and the subsequent struggle over Berber identity in the independence era. Deeply steeped in Berber history and culture, the author traces the major and minor engagements between French forces and the Berbers in revealing detail, using previously unavailable sources. Relying on a wealth of oral sources and extensive field work, it provides the most complete history to date of one of the most important Berber communities in North Africa.

Reviews

Michael Peyron has written a groundbreaking study on the history of the Berbers of Morocco. He devoted all of his scholarly life to the study of their history, in particular their history in the 20th century. As a fluent speaker of Middle Atlas Berber he was able to collect Berber language materials (poetry, accounts of historical events) by which his book has acquired a definitely Berber perspective. Michael Peyron is the best scholar to guide the reader through the various stages of the Moroccan Berbers complex history. * Harry Stroomer, Professor Emeritus of Berber and South Semitic languages, Leiden University, The Netherlands *
There can be few outsiders more familiar with the history, language and culture of the Berbers of the Moroccan Atlas mountains than Michael Peyron. Distilling over half a centurys experience of exploring and living in the Atlas, The Berbers of Morocco paints a rich and colourful history stretching back to the classical era. Peyrons fluency in the Tamazight language allows him to draw on a wealth of local oral history and traditional poetry collected over the years to enrich the historical narrative and give valuable voice to the memories and perspectives of the people of the region. * Michael Willis, HM King Mohammed VI Fellow in Moroccan and Mediterranean Studies, Oxford University, UK *
A rollicking examination of Amazigh military resistance, and a paean to cultural resilience. Written with clarity, verve, and precision, this book draws from a lifetime of passionate research. * David Crawford, Professor of Sociology and Anthropology, Fairfield University, USA *

Author Bio

Michael Peyron is Visiting Professor at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (Morocco). He is a specialist in the field of Berber language, literature and culture. Peyron has previously taught at the Faculty of Letters of Mohammed V University in Rabat (19731988) and in the English Department at Grenoble University (198895) and from 1995 to 1997 he was a guest lecturer at King Fahd School for Translation (Tangier, Morocco). He has published widely on the Berbers in English and French.