Mzab, Algeria

The Mzab of Algeria

In the 11th century, in the valley of Ghardaia, the Mzab Berbers founded the towns of El-Atteuf (AD1011), Bou Noura (AD1046) and Ghardaia (AD1048), and, later still, Ben Isguen and Melika, 400 miles south of Algiers and 800 miles north of Tamanrasset. Ghardaia is the capital of the Mzab region at the edge of the Sahara, the largest desert on earth. Over 100,000 people live in the Mzab region, most of them in the 7km-long valley at Ghardaia.

The character and attitudes of the Mzab people have been formed by the harsh environment of the desert: they are tough, practical, tolerant, dialogue-orientated, and modest, and rely on the support of the community. A Spaniard who is familiar with the region once wrote about its inhabitants: “The Mzab have developed a society which is very strict, but which at the same time is built on the solidarity of the community, pious but also integrating, in the midst of a landscape that is hostile to man.” The valley of Ghardaia is not a place for individualists: those who go by themselves cannot survive there. The Mzab have only survived the harsh living conditions by sticking together. The Mzab look after the weak, the sick and the needy in their communities.

The Mzab are a Berber people and part of the so-called Ibdites, an Islamic sect, which was founded by Abdullah ibn Ibd and is a splinter group of the Kharijites. According to their teaching, anyone who commits a serious sin is an infidel. They suppose that such a sinner has to remain in the fires of condemnation forever. Most Muslims do not agree with this doctrine, so the Mzab preferred to go into exile in AD661. First, they went to an area called Ouargla, about 100km east of Ghardaia. In the 11th century they moved on and founded a new community at the edge of the desert. The Mzab are traders who are dispersed all over Algeria and also live in France.

The city of Ben Isguen was founded in the 14th century and is considered the holy city of the Mzab region: it is a most orthodox town — smoking, open clothing, and photography are not allowed. Islam is practised strictly according to the letter of the Qur’an. The people are very religious. From the age of 12 onwards, girls have to wear a veil, which covers everything except one eye. No stranger is allowed to spend the night in the city.

Though many governments have ruled Algeria over the centuries, but, in the words of one writer, “The powers come and go, the Mzab stay.”

Prayer points

* Pray for the Mzab to hunger and thirst for the righteousness of God and a longing for forgiveness and for the Prince of Peace (Matt 5:6).
* Pray for Jesus to be revealed to the Mzab through His Word in their own language.
* Pray that the Mzab living in France hear the gospel and believe in Jesus Christ.
* Pray for regular and committed intercessors for the Mzab.

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