BERBERS, the name of a people spread over nearly the whole of northern Africa. From their name the appellation Barbary is derived. They are considered the most an cient inhabitants of the country. Their dif ferent tribes are scattered over the whole space intervening between the shores of the Atlantic and the confines of Egypt; but the different branches of Atlas are their principal abode; while to the south they extend to the Soudan. Chief branches into which they are divided are: First, the Amazirgh, Amazigh, or Ma zigh, estimated to number from 2,000,000 to 2,500,000, and who inhabit Morocco. They are for the most part quite independent of the Sultan of Morocco and live partly under chieftains and partly in small republican communities. Second, the Shillooh or Sheila kah, who number about 1,450,000, and inhabit the south of Morocco. They practise agri culture and carry on some manufactures. They are more highly civilized than the Ama zirgh. Third, the Kabyles in Algeria and Tunis, who are said to number about 1,000, 000. Fourth, the Berbers of the Sahara, who inhabit the oases and consequently live for the most part at wide intervals from each other. Among the Sahara Berbers the most remarkable are the Beni-Mezab and the Tuareg. To these we may also add the Guanches of the Canary Islands, now extinct, but undoubtedly of the same race.
The Berbers generally are about the mid dle height; their complexion brown, and some times almost black, with brown and glossy hair. Individuals of fair complexion and light hair and even with blue eyes are said to be not uncommon among them. They are generally thin, but extremely strong and ro bust, and their bodies are beautifully formed. The head of the Berber is rounder than that of the Arab and the features shorter, but of an equally marked character, although the fine aquiline nose, so common among the lat ter, is not often seen among the Berbers.
The language of the Berbers is said to have affinities with the Semitic tongues. Such of them as mingle with the Arabs speak or un derstand Arabic; hut those who dwell in the interior of the mountains understand no other language than their own. The Berbers are generally straight and honest in their dealings — contrasting favorably with the Arabs— and of high intelligence. They are Moham medans in religion. They generally dwell in huts or rude houses, the latter rectangular, with two gable ends, covered with thatch and entered by a low and narrow door. These dwellings are often built in little groups, scattered about in the valleys and upon the sides of the mountains, and in some parts each group of huts is situated in the midst of a plantation, with a portion of ground laid out as a kitchen-garden. Although the Berbers have always lived in ignorance and have had but little connection with civilized nations, they are remarkably industrious. By working the mines in their own mountains they pro duced lead, copper and iron. With the iron they manufacture gun-barrels, implements of husbandry and many rudely-formed utensils. They understand the manufacture of steel. from which they make knives, swords and other instruments, not very elegant in form, but of good quality. The tribes inhabiting the borders of the plains and some of the great valleys breed sheep and cattle in con siderable numbers. Their sheep are small and yield very little wool, and they have numerous herds of goats. Their cows and oxen are of a small species, but their asses and mules are much esteemed. Consult Randal-Maciver and Wilkie, 'Libyan Notes' (London 1901).