Articles

In the Homeland of the Legendary al-Kahina

Vostok/Oriens '2014, №5

 
The article is based upon the field materials that were collected by the author during his visit to the eastern Algerian province of Khenshela. The province is situated in the historical region of Aures (al-Auras), where many Berber (Amazigh) cultural traditions are being preserved. While participating in a conference held by the local University and dedicated to the problems of translation and study of modern Algerian literature, the author witnessed an acute clash between the partisans of the development of the Amazigh culture and the supporters of the preservation of the Arab cultural role in Algeria’s life. The author has stated a fundamental role of tribal and clannish ties in the modern Algerian society that proves the vitality of traditional institutions in contemporary Algeria. This feature of the Algerian society is the main reason for the preservation of the traditional culture and the interest of the local educated strata to the local and all-Arabic traditional cultural phenomena.

Keywords: Algeria, Khenshela, al-Auras, Arab-Berber relations, traditional society in Algeria, traditional culture in Algeria, clannish and tribal ties in Modern Algeria, Amazigh culture

Pages: С. 135–151