There are currently more than 5,000 different Indigenous groups around the world, according to Amnesty International. Indigenous peoples make up some 6.2% of the global population, equal to 476 million people.
Indigenous people in the region have long faced clashes, with sectarian tensions becoming increasingly volatile. The New Arab reported on May 30th that the Druze minority in Syria has seen a rapid rise in sectarian clashes in recent months, especially in the province of Suweida and the Suburbia of Damascus.
But tensions are only one part of the issues facing these minority groups. It is well-known that Indigenous peoples often have their human rights violated, are unrepresented by governments and are victim to discrimination. The modern world is only increasing these already high levels of marginalisation, forcing Indigenous cultures to adapt and change.
While the communities spread far and wide, across almost 100 countries and speak more than 4,000 languages, the Middle East is a complex tapestry of tribes and Indigenous people. The MENA region is made up of communities rich in culture and historical heritage and is characterised by a diverse array of ethnic groups, languages, and traditions. Among the range of Indigenous groups across the region, most are celebrated for their hospitable nature, traditional clothes, literature and music.
The Druze
The Druze peoples are widely considered Indigenous to the Middle East, particularly with a long history in Lebanon, Israel and Syria. The Druze community have a well-defined religious identity and culture that sets them apart from other groups.
Syria’s Druze minority, most located in Jabal al-Druze and the Golan Heights, on the Israeli-Syrian border, represent around 4% of the population. The Druze peoples believe in a combination of Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Their religious identity is also influenced by Greek philosophies, together with Buddhism and Hinduism.
Recent reports Indicate a rise in violence against Druze communities in Syria. Since early May, there have been more than 100 deaths attributed to sectarian violence. Israel has also added to the clashes, claiming strikes in Syria that aim to protect the Druze minority, NPR reported.
A photograph that showed the spiritual leader of Israel’s Druze community, Sheikh Muwaffaq Tarif, shaking hands with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun sparked outrage across Lebanon, The New Arab reported on May 19th . The image was published by Israel’s public broadcaster Kan, captioned with: “An image you don’t see every day.”
While reports note that the leaders met to discuss how to end the violence against the Druze minority in Syria, the Lebanese government swiftly responded to the post with a statement that distanced Aoun from Israel.
“I would love to go back to when it was just us”
As the Druze community straddles the border between Israel and Syria, many people have family members on both sides of the border. After clashes broke out in Druze villages in Syria, some Druze people have labelled the de-facto government, headed by Ahmed al-Sharaa, as hard-line Islamists. Some of the armed factions in Syria’s new government have named the Druze community heretics – someone whose beliefs or actions are considered wrong.
The Amazigh
The Amazigh peoples are the Indigenous peoples of North Africa. The Amazigh community span from Morocco, Algeria and the Sahara, to Egypt, Libya, Mali, Niger, Mauritiania and Tunisia. The term “Berber”, often used to describe the Amazigh peoples, is seen as derogatory today and many people find the phrase offensive. Instead, the community prefer the term Amazigh, meaning which means free or noble in the Tamazight language.
“I really feel like really connected to the Amazigh culture. I think that our culture is so strong and special. We have a really long history,” Mariam, a 26-year-old woman from Algeria’s Kabylia region, told Levantis.
The Amazigh peoples have their own unique language, known as Tamazight. The community also uses different letters, with each letter represented by a shape or symbol. Signs and books in the Tifinagh scripture can be found across the MENA region, mostly pasted on road signs and official buildings.
“Yes, the language is still spoken by people, but it isn’t the same as before because like 40% of people don’t speak it,” Mariam, who did not want to provide her full name, said.
“I think people are more interested in learning other languages now instead of Amazigh, like English or French or maybe Spanish,” she added. “Old people only use Amazigh, like my mum and my dad, they only speak in Amazigh and not Arabic. But it’s very rare for young people to speak it fluently these days.”
“Some women are now giving away their silver jewellery to other women to be forgiven for having tattoos”
In regard to the Algerian government and education system supporting the preservation of the Amazigh language and culture, the 26-year-old said: “Yes, definitely. They have festivals and museums to show off Amazigh culture. They play our music, and they have TV channels in Amazigh.”
“As for education, the government have put it into the regular education system now and it is seen as the national language, next to Arabic or French. I think Algeria really cares about keeping Amazigh culture.”
The Amazigh have a large population estimated between 30 and 40 million, with the majority concentrated in Morocco and Algeria, per the Indigenous Peoples of Africa Co-ordinating Committee. However, smaller communities can also be found across the Arab world. Europe also hosts a large Amazigh migrant community. Despite being one of the largest Indigenous communities, the group often face discrimination and negative stereotypes.
“Unfortunately, between different cultures in North Africa, like people from the Sahara, we have jokes about each other that I guess you could say are hurtful or discrimination,” Mariam explained. “We just have bad stereotypes about each other that is all.”
Like most Indigenous and ethnic minorities, the modernisation of the MENA region has changed the community’s way of life. Modern developments often lead to a loss of land, culture and traditional knowledge for Indigenous communities, only increasing the risk of marginalisation and vulnerability.
“I think the more the country is going further in development, the more the culture is seeing small changes. Before people would go on donkeys to small Amazigh villages but now there are big roads and people use cars,” Mariam said. “The Amazigh clothes have also changed. The fashion is different because the traditional clothes aren’t seen as fashionable anymore in the modern world.”
“Also, the music, we have different instruments now and the musicians are collaborating with international musicians.”
Tattoos weren’t always a controversial topic in North Africa and women were once engaging in the craftsmanship with pride. Some markings depicted past conflicts or chivalry, some were expressions of nature, some were drawings worn by women who were ready for marriage. However, after the French occupation and the influence of Islam, the practice started to be erased from society in the 1970s.
“A big thing in our culture was tattoos but now that has changed. It’s more creative now. Instead of a woman having face tattoos, people will now get the same symbol on their arm. It’s all the same symbols but used in a different way,” Mariam explained.
“Tattoos used to be seen as a sign of beauty or luck for us, they were about showing off and sending a message but now it is seen as something bad. Some women are now giving away their silver jewellery to other women to be forgiven for having tattoos.”
Pride still runs deep for the Amazigh peoples, and the community continues to embrace its traditions. As authorities continue to incorporate the Amazigh language and letters into education systems, the younger generations in North Africa can hold onto their cultural identity.
“I think [the younger generation] are keeping their identity. All of the Amazigh boys and girls are so proud of their identity, and I think it’s because of our history that the Amazigh culture is seen as a kind of revolution,” the 26-year-old said.
Preserving the language is “most important”, Mariam said, going on to note that “other things don’t matter because if you keep the language then you keep everything.”
“I would love to go back to the old days where we were free to do what we wanted like having tattoos and stuff. There were lots of different beliefs back then, we had our own family system and our own laws,” she added. “I think a lot of the beautiful things inside the Amazigh culture has been covered now and I would love to go back to when it was just us.”
The Kurds
The Kurdish peoples are an Indigenous Iranian ethnic group, primarily recognised for living in the mountainous region of Kurdistan. Kurdistan spans between the southeast of Turkey, northwestern Iran, northern Iraq and northeastern Syria. There are around 25 to 35 million Kurds living in the Middle East, making the community the fourth largest Indigenous group in the region.
While the overall majority of the Kurds are Sunni Muslims, the community is also home to other faiths such as Shia Muslims, Yazidis and other religions. Despite being one of the largest minority groups, the Kurdish community is one of the most discriminated against. For four decades the Turkish government has been entangled in an armed conflict with the Kurdistan Workers Party, a proscribed terror group also known as the PKK, as reported by the BBC on February 27th.
While Turkish law dictates that all citizens are equal, Kurds in Turkey have continued to face challenges related to equality and discrimination. However, following an order given by its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan, the PKK has agreed to disband, Middle East Eye reported on May 29th. If the group sticks to its pledge, the disbanding will put an end to the conflict that has plagued Turkey for almost half a century.
With the PKK agreed to disband, the rights for the Kurdish community in Turkey lay in the hands of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party). Pro-Kurdish politics are prioritised by the DEM party, known for being a broader left-wing progressive movement based in the Kurdish populated southeastern region of Turkey. However, amid claims that the DEM party supports acts of “terrorism” carried out by the PKK, the Kurds fight against discrimination will not be without challenges from other coalitions.
The New Arab, Amnesty International, NPR, The Indigenous Peoples of Africa Co-ordinating Committee, BBC, Middle East Eye
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