tamessa

2.1 pacifist attitude The Mozabits are of Ibadhit obedience The Ibadhits, known under the name of ‘Quietists’ to have refused armed confrontation, encouraged the dialogue with the ‘Omeyyad’ authorities and adopted since, a pacifist attitude. Thus, they were limiting themselves since to denunciation of the wrong, recommendation of the right and to the formation of faith preachers. This, constitute their retorts against society deviation and governors abuse. This thought of ‘Quietist ‘ marked deeply the behaviour of the Mozabits during all their existence in the valley. 2.2 patriotic roots The conception of a completely hermetic model can not have the luck to survive ten centuries. Indeed this model opens a measured way outside to enrich itself but without letting absorb itself by its environment. This opening is well expressed by indefectible attachment of this community at all moments of history, to its mother homeland, Algeria. The M’zab considers itself like an integral part of its mother homeland Algeria and one of its main cultural richness. It refused the French occupation by the voice of its spiritual leader Sheikh M.Tfyèche that has been kept under house arrest for the remainder of his life. It refused the separation of the Sahara of the remainder of Algeria by its reformer leader Sheikh B. Bayoud and it turned out remarkable Moufdi Zakaria, ‘Poet of the Revolution ‘ that knew to express this feeling of attachment while singing the historic prestige of all regions of Algeria in his famous ‘Iliad ‘ and while composing the national hymn of Algeria. 2.3 popular expression ‘Toumzabt’ is a variety of the Berber language spoken in Algeria. It is spoken and written in Arabian letters or in Berber alphabet ‘Tifinagh ‘. ‘Toumzabt’ component of the Berber language or ‘Tamazight ‘ develops and invests today the Algerian media.

Dr F. Jaabiri is most likely a specialist of the Ibadhit thought, which inspired and shaped the community of the M’zab. Citizen of this society and forged in its crucible I may be able, I hope, to contribute to the understanding of certain aspects of this millennial civilisation that does yet exists today and that continuous to exist as far as it keeps up its own factors of regeneration. The question to debate concerning this symposium remains to know if the M’zab can be considered as a ‘City-state Culture ‘ and if its seven cities meet criteria of ‘city-states’. In this contribution, in complement of the communication of Dr Jaabiri, I try to expose you a sample of activities of daily life in these cities. This paper treats the past of this civilisation and also its elongation in the present. The model of social organisation prevailing in M’zab could constitute a topic of research and yield rich information sources for further studies. Therein, a small society knew how to stand keeping up its identity life through ten centuries of existence in spite of a doubly hostile physical and human environment. In order to be acquainted with this millennial civilisation it would be necessary to stop one instant to observe the translation of their Creed into their actual life. Their Creed founds upon the triptyque of faith, word and act. This is adjusted by tolerance of others and it’s confirmed by the necessary firmness facing the different threats of dilution and disappearance. The organisation of this society is based on a moral hierarchy with to the top the council of the mosque called the ‘Halqa ‘ that co-ordinates the city council or enlarged council which comprehends different ‘Achira’ or tribes of the City

Name: ‘Septapolis’ of M’zab Date of birth: 1050 to ‘El Atf ‘ Algeria Particular sign: No smoking and no drinking society Size: 8 000 km² of surface microstate! Territory: Oasis in the southern of Algeria limited by the land use! Population: A few thousand of inhabitants in each city face to face society Ethnic: Algerian Berber regrouped in seven cities! Pattern settlement: Residential zones on hillsides surrounded with palm-grove Inhabitants: Enrolled in clans, the ‘Stand-by ‘ and others no ibadhits noticed distinction! Economy: Date palms, goat, and handicraft in view of self-sufficiency! Religion: Islam Ibadhit creed the seal of the community! Defence: Ramparts, watching towers and vigilance committees fortification! Autonomy: Defence against invasions of the Bedouin, negotiation with the central authorities (Turkish and french) on behalf of the Society limited autonomy!