Algerian Culture, Customs, and Traditions
- Music The most common genre of music is raï. ...
- Mode of Dressing Dressing in Algeria is conservative especially for women due to the Islamic faith. ...
- Literature The roots of Algerian literature can be traced to the ancient Roman and Numidian era. ...
- Algerian Cuisine Algeria is traditionally referred to as the “granary of Rome” due to a variety of traditional dishes. ...
- Visual Arts ...
- Games and Sports ...
What are some traditions in Algeria?
What are some Algeria traditions? Traditional Algerian crafts, including woven carpets, have been widely praised for their attention to detail. feast of Eid al Fitr, during which families visit and exchange gifts. Eid al-Adha commemorates the end of Muhammad's Hajj. The mosque is the Muslim house of worship. Click to see full answer.
What holidays are celebrated in Algeria?
Which are the public holidays in Algeria?
- New Year’s Day. New Year’s Day is the first day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...
- Yennayer. Yennayer is the first month of the Berber Year. ...
- Labor Day. Labor Day is celebrated every 1st of May to remember the efforts of the International Labour Movement.
- Independence Day. ...
- Eid Al Adha. ...
- Awal Muharram. ...
- Ashura. ...
- Birthday of Prophet Muhammad. ...
What is the traditional food of Algeria?
The Cuisine of Algeria
- Dolma. Stuffed dolma with lemon sauce. ...
- Bagita. Bagita is a type of bread in the Algerian cuisine. ...
- Mechoui. A large piece of Mechoui. ...
- Jwaz. Jwaz is a favorite vegetable meal in Algeria. ...
- Couscous. Algerian couscous seen with dried fruit. ...
What are some customs in Algeria?
What are some cultural traits of Algeria? P redominantly a Muslim country, Algeria is mostly Islamic with a small population of Christians. This explains the strong influence of Islamic traditions in social norms and etiquette. Ethnic influences are also evident in many aspects of the Algerian culture, especially in the country’s handicrafts.
What are the Algerian known for?
What is Algeria famous for? Rock Art of the Tassili n'Ajjer. Algeria is known for its traditional hospitality, its Mediterranean climate in the north, and the Sahara, which covers nearly 90% of the country. Rock art drawings and Rock carving at Wadi Djerat in the Tassili massif (Tassili n'Ajjer).
What are the beliefs in Algeria?
Religion in Algeria is dominated by Muslims, with nearly ninety-eight of the population (over ninety-nine percent of the population that state any religion) adhering to Sunni Islam of the Maliki school of jurisprudence, as of 2020.
What are the different cultures in Algeria?
Algeria DemographicsEthnic GroupsArab-Berber 99%, European less than 1%Population Growth Rate1.9%Population in Major Urban AreasALGIERS (capital) 2.916 million; Oran 783,000Predominant LanguageArabic (official), French, Berber dialectsUrban Population73%4 more rows
What is the famous festival in Algeria?
The Rai festivalis a yearly event aiming to celebrate the popular Algerian folk music, that has evolved in Oranie region and combines both popular music and traditional Bedouin desert music. It also celebrates the contributions of local artists to uphold the country's distinct musical genre.
What are 5 facts about Algeria?
12 Fun Facts About Algeria You Probably Didn't Know. ... Algeria is the largest country in Africa. ... It is the only country to mention two countries in its national anthem. ... The national animal is the Fennec Fox. ... There are two Nobel Prize winners from Algeria. ... The US Army used to import camels from Algeria.More items...•
What is Hello Algeria?
Hello. Salam/ Salam 'likum. Good morning. Sbah l-khir.
What is the main culture in Algeria?
Predominantly a Muslim country, Algeria is mostly Islamic with a small population of Christians. This explains the strong influence of Islamic traditions in social norms and etiquette. Ethnic influences are also evident in many aspects of the Algerian culture, especially in the country's handicrafts.
What makes Algeria unique?
Algeria is home to the largest swath of the Sahara Desert which doubles as the largest hot desert in the world excluding the Arctic and Antarctica. Moreover, around 80% of Algeria is the Sahara Desert accounting for a total area of 1,905,392 km2.
Is Algeria rich or poor?
Ethnically, the nation is overwhelmingly Arab-Berber, and the vast majority of citizens are Sunni Muslims. Arabic is the national language, but various Berber dialects and French also are spoken. The World Bank classifies Algeria as an upper-middle income nation.
Who made the Algerian flag?
Émilie BusquantÉmilie Busquant is perhaps best known as the creator of the current Algerian flag. While there is some dispute over who exactly designed green and white with red star and crescent symbol, Busquant is generally credited as having sewed the first version of the flag in 1934.
What is the education system like in Algeria?
Educational System Primary school lasts for 5 years. Then, students move on to 4 years of lower secondary school and 3 additional years of upper secondary school. Primary and Lower Secondary Education, which is termed "Enseignment Fondemental" is the basic education that everyone is required to receive.
What is the capital of Algeria?
Algiers [El Djazaïr]Algeria / Capital
What do Sunni Muslims believe?
The Sunnis believe that Muhammad had no rightful heir and that a religious leader should be elected through a vote among the Islamic community's people. They believe that Muhammad's followers chose Abu Bakr, Muhammad's close friend and advisor, as his successor.
How many religions are in Algeria?
Algeria's state religion is Islam, and an estimated 99 percent of the population identify as Sunni Muslim, with the remaining 1 percent of the population comprising of Jews, Christians, and Ahmadiyya and Shi'a Muslims.
What religion was Algeria before Islam?
Shia Islam is not represented apart from a few members of the Ibadi sect, a Shia offshoot. Before the Arab incursions, most of the Berber inhabitants of the area's mountainous interior were pagan. Some had adopted Judaism, and in the coastal plains many had accepted Christianity under the Romans.
Is Algeria rich or poor?
Ethnically, the nation is overwhelmingly Arab-Berber, and the vast majority of citizens are Sunni Muslims. Arabic is the national language, but various Berber dialects and French also are spoken. The World Bank classifies Algeria as an upper-middle income nation.
What are the games that Algerians play?from worldatlas.com
Games and Sports. Algerians have a sporting culture with the Aures community playing various games such as chess and El Kherdha. Playing of cards and checkers forms Algerians traditional engagements. Cultural recreation games include racing and rifle shooting.
What is the history of Algeria?from worldatlas.com
The culture, traditions, and customs of the country are influenced by the indigenous people of Algeria. The major communities that have contributed to the history of the country are the Berbers, Byzantines, Andalusians, and the French.
What is Algeria's national identity?from planetjawal.com
The national identity in Algeria is based on a combination of Arab and Berber cultures. Together, these two groups make up approximately 99% of all the population. Historically, Arabs and Berbers have intermarried for centuries, making any chance of demarcation incredibly low. With that said, estimations suggest that 75% of Algerians consider themselves Arabs, while only a 30 to 25% see themselves as Berbers.
What is Algerian literature?from worldatlas.com
The roots of Algerian literature can be traced to the ancient Roman and Numidian era. Most of the traditional literature dwells on the ideologies of the Sanusi family, Ben Badis, and Emir Abdelkader. Modern literature is split between French and Arabic. Poetry has been popularized by Moufdi Zakaria and Mohammed Al Aid.
What languages are spoken in Algeria?from planetjawal.com
The literary landscape is just as rich, vibrant, and abundant in Algeria, with many authors, playwrights, and poets writing in both French and native languages (Arabic and Amazigh).
Why is Algeria called the Granary of Rome?from worldatlas.com
Algeria is traditionally referred to as the “granary of Rome” due to a variety of traditional dishes. Food and cooking styles borrow heavily from Arabic, Amazigh, and French cuisines. A blend of Mediterranean chili peppers and spices are featured in many meals.
Who taught the Berbers of Algeria their advanced agricultural methods?from planetjawal.com
The Carthaginians are known to have taught the indigenous Berbers of Algeria their advanced agricultural methods.
What are the cultures of Algeria?
Algeria has been home to many cultures, civilizations, and dynasties, from the Phoenicians, Romans, and Byzantines to the Ottoman Turks, the armies of Islam, and the French.
What languages are spoken in Algeria?
The literary landscape is just as rich, vibrant, and abundant in Algeria, with many authors, playwrights, and poets writing in both French and native languages (Arabic and Amazigh).
What is Algeria's national identity?
The national identity in Algeria is based on a combination of Arab and Berber cultures. Together, these two groups make up approximately 99% of all the population. Historically, Arabs and Berbers have intermarried for centuries, making any chance of demarcation incredibly low. With that said, estimations suggest that 75% of Algerians consider themselves Arabs, while only a 30 to 25% see themselves as Berbers.
Who taught the Berbers of Algeria their advanced agricultural methods?
The Carthaginians are known to have taught the indigenous Berbers of Algeria their advanced agricultural methods.
When did Algeria gain independence?
After 132 years of French occupation, Algeria finally took its independence in July the 5th of 1962.
When did Algeria become part of the Ottoman Empire?
The period between the 7th and the 14th century A.D had the majority of locals converted to Islam, making Algeria part of the Ottoman empire in the 1500s. Following what is now known as a tumultuous and chaotic history of Spanish, Ottoman, and Turk activity in Noth Africa came the French rule, a dark period in the history of Algeria.
How do people marry in Algeria?
Marriage. Marriages in Algeria are traditionally arranged either by parents of the couple or by a professional matchmaker. Despite its prevalence in Algeria, the influx of Western culture has had little influence in this realm, as the majority of marriages still are arranged. It is considered not just the union of two individuals, but also of two families. Wedding celebrations last for days, including music, special sweets, and ritual baths for the bride. The groom covers the costs of the festivities.
Which city in Algeria was built by the Arabs?
Oran, to the west of Algiers, is the second-biggest city. It was built by the Arabs in 903, but was dominated by the Spanish for two centuries, and later by the French. It thus shows more European influence than any other city in Algeria, housing a large number of cathedrals and French colonial architecture.
How many times do Muslims pray?
The second is prayer, or Salat. Muslims pray five times a day; it is not necessary to go to the mosque, but the call to prayer echoes out over each city or town from the minarets of the holy buildings. Friday is the Muslim Sabbath, and the most important prayer of the week is the noon prayer on this day.
What are the animals that live in the desert?
The vast expanse contains not only sand dunes and typical desert life such as snakes, lizards, and foxes, but also oases, which grow date and citrus trees. There are also striking sandstone rock formations, red sand, and even a mountain, Mount Tahat, the highest point in Algeria, that is sometimes snow-topped.
What is the climate like in the Mediterranean?
The climate is desert like, although the coast does receive rain in the winter. Only 3 percent of the land is arable, this along the Mediterranean. Inland from the coast is the High Plateau region, with an elevation of 1,300 to 4,300 feet (396 to 1,311 meters).
Where does the name Algeria come from?
The name Algeria is derived from the name of the country's oldest continuous settlement and modern capital, Algiers, a strategically located port city with access to both Europe and the Middle East. Most of the population of the country is in the north. While the majority of the population who are Arab (or mixed Arab and Berber) identify with the common Algerian culture, the Berber tribes, particularly in the more isolated southern mountainous and desert regions, retain more of the indigenous Berber culture and identity.
Is Algeria a member of the Arab League?
Algeria is a member of the Arab League, whose goal is to strengthen ties among Arab nations, to coordinate their policies, and to protect their common interests. Algeria also is part of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which coordinates policies among its member states.
What are the religious holidays in Algeria?
Algeria observes several religious and secular holidays, including the important Islamic festivals and commemorations such as Ramadan, the two ʿīd s (festivals), Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, and mawlid (the Prophet’s birthday), as well as national holidays such as Independence Day (July 5).
What is the most popular music in Algeria?
Various types of music are native to Algeria. One of the most popular, originating in the western part of the country, is raï (from Arabic raʾy, meaning “opinion” or “view”), which combines varying instrumentation with simple poetic lyrics. Both men and women are free to express themselves in this style.
What is the cultural clash in Algeria?
As is true elsewhere in North Africa, Algeria has experienced a dislocating clash between traditional and mass global culture, with Hollywood films and Western popular music commanding the attention of the young at the expense of indigenous forms of artistic and cultural expression. This clash is the subject of much fiery commentary from conservative Muslim clergymen, whose influence has grown with the rise of Islamic extremism. Extremists have opposed secular values in art and culture and have targeted prominent Algerian authors, playwrights, musicians, and artists—including the director of the National Museum, who was assassinated in 1995; novelist Tahar Djaout, who was murdered in 1993; and the well-known Amazigh musician Lounès Matoub, who was assassinated in 1998. As a result, much of the country’s cultural elite has left the country to work abroad, mostly in France.
What was the first film made in Algeria?
The first major postcolonial production was the celebrated film La battaglia di Algeri (1966; The Battle of Algiers ). Though written and directed by an Italian, Gillo Pontecorvo, the work—a stark factual retelling of urban warfare during the revolution—was supported by the Algerian government and was cast with numerous nonactors, including many residents of Algiers who participated in the actual events. The following year Mohammed Lakhdar-Hamina directed Rīḥ al-Awras (1966; The Winds of the Aures ), the first work by an Algerian to win international acclaim. His Chronique des annees de braise (1975; Chronicle of the Year of Embers ), another gritty tale of the revolution, was awarded the Palme d’Or at the Cannes film festival nearly a decade later. Several films by the celebrated director Merzak Allouache, including Omar Gatlato (1976) and Bāb al-wād al-ḥawmah (1994; Bab El-Oued City ), which deal with the complexity of daily life in urban Algeria, have received international recognition. Additionally, director Bourlem Guerdjou examined the difficulties of the Algerian diaspora in France in his award-winning Vivre au paradis (1997; Living in Paradise ).
How did Algerian culture and society affect colonial rule?
Algerian culture and society were profoundly affected by 130 years of colonial rule, by the bitter independence struggle, and by the subsequent broad mobilization policies of postindependence regimes.
What is Islam in Algeria?
Practiced largely as a set of social prescriptions and ethical attitudes, Islam in Algeria has more characteristically been identified with supporting traditional values than serving a revolutionary ideology. In particular, the influential Muslim clergy has opposed the emancipation of women.
Who wrote about Algeria?
The work of Mouloud Feraoun reflects Amazigh life. Mohammed Dib, Malek Haddad, Tahar Djaout, Mourad Bourboune, Rachid Boudjedra, and Assia Djebar have all written about contemporary life in Algeria, with Djebar reflecting on this from a woman’s perspective.
Why is the S'Biba festival celebrated?
After the feast of Aid, the S’Biba festival is celebrated in the town of Djanet to commemorate the peace pact bestowed upon the inhabitants of Tassili N’Ajjer. Click here to get an Overview of Algeria.
What is the feast of sacrifice?
Eid al-Adha. The Feast of the Sacrifice is held to commemorate Abraham’s willingness to give up his own son in an act of obedience to God. It is held every November 28, and is marked by large meals featuring local Algerian dishes.
Where is the Pan African Cultural Festival?
Pan-African Cultural Festival. The PanAf festival involves performances, exhibitions, and events at different locations throughout Algeria. More than 8,000 artists, musicians, authors, and actors from the African Union congregate in Algiers, Blida, Bourmerdes, Tipaza, and other cities to promote the arts.
What do Algerian women wear for their wedding?
Wedding Outfits. The groom wears a European (French-styled) suit since the Algerian culture is influenced by the French. However, most grooms opt-out and wear a suit. The traditional dress of Algeria for women, but more precisely of the city of Tlemcen, is an Algerian dress composed of several layers of clothes and accessories linked ...
How many dresses does an Algerian bride have?
But these dresses take a lot of time to be prepared. An Algerian bride will have seven different dresses, including one that represents the region from where the bride’s family is from.
Why do people wear henna in Algeria?
In addition, the henna is meant to ward off evil spirits and to increase fertility.
What is the food served at a wedding?
Food Served at Weddings: Weeks before the actual wedding, women begin gathering at the bride’s house to prepare desserts such as makroud and baklava. The wedding meal might include popular dishes such as couscous, pasta cooked with lamb or chicken and vegetables, and Tajine.
What is the bride's dress?
The bride is bathed and dressed in a traditional dress and then adorned with jewels, anklets, bracelets, earrings, a tiara, and a necklace made of clove and amber . When the bride is dressed, she leaves her parent’s home wrapped in a golden hand-woven silk veil.
What religion is Algeria?
Since Islam is the dominant religion in Algeria, with over 99% percent of the population Sunni Muslims, the Algerians follow the Islamic marriage procedure. A Muslim man can marry a Muslim, Christian, or a Jewish woman.
What is the name of the contract of marriage recited in the Quran?
The Quran is usually recited during the engagement. After the recitation, the signing of the contract of marriage, called ‘lehlal’ is completed. The imam prepares the contract and it is necessary that 12 men play the role of witnesses that the marriage has been legal and has the consent of both parties.
Algerian History & Background
The People and Society of Algeria
- The national identity in Algeria is based on a combination of Arab and Berber cultures. Together, these two groups make up approximately 99% of all the population. Historically, Arabs and Berbers have intermarried for centuries, making any chance of demarcation incredibly low. With that said, estimations suggest that 75% of Algerians consider themselves Arabs, while only a 3…
Algerian Culture & Traditions
- While there have been many valiant efforts to completely modernize the Algerian diaspora, the pull and power of traditional values remains strong and withstanding. Predominantly a Muslim country, whether in the city or the countryside, the customs and traditions of the average Algerian citizen are heavily influenced by the atmosphere of Islam. This...