In the Northern region of Algeria, there are women who’ve been highly recognized for their ambition and bravery since Ancient times. Women who are part of a society based on a strict division of roles, rights and duties, between them and their men, women who don’t fear to be considered the pillar of the family, with all the required demands of this position. We are talking about the wives of Kabylia. In this historically challenged region of Algeria, from the very beginning of our times men were expected to work hard in the fields, getting to the market and managing family’s finances, while the women led the house and raised the children at their best. But the house environment was not the only place where a wife from Kabylia could be seen. History shows that inside Berber world, the Kabyle woman always took care of animals from early morning, made pottery and weaving for the indoor decorations, beside other tasks like collecting water and wood. One of her few joys was to visit her other female houses, during her free time. She was also seen as a mediator between her husband and the little ones, children being expected not to get involved in discussions with the father, who was seen as the leader, in the strict sense of term, the guardian of his family honor, but also the one who was not taking decisions without his wife’s advice. Inside the Kabyle society during critical situations women were seen as the ones able to bring a solution, and examples are many. When they were facing a severe drought, the Anzar procession meant to bring the rain was conducted by women who had to initiate Timzeght, the sacrifice of an ox. Even before a war, delegation of Kabyle women were sent for last negotiations, often with success. Nowadays we still can see them and we still can admire their vibrant folk outfits. These are people with love for their land, respect for their community values, people who should not be forgotten. From Kabylian women we can learn the lesson of loyalty and we also can hope that their dreams in achieving professional and social recognition to become a normal reality, supported by the institutions with the ability of doing so. For a brighter future.
Arabica...taste of Orient 