ArabBerber

ArabBerber, also written Arab-Berber, is a term used to describe people, communities, and cultures in North Africa that combine Arab and Berber (Amazigh) ancestry or cultural influence. The label is sociological rather than a fixed ethnicity and encompasses a spectrum of identities, from primarily Berber with some Arab influence to those with substantial Arab heritage and bilingual or multilingual practices.

Historically, Arab-Muslim expansion in the region beginning in the first millennium CE brought widespread Arabic language and culture into North Africa, where it interacted with indigenous Berber populations. Over centuries, intermarriage, migration, and cultural exchange produced populations in which Arab and Berber elements are intertwined. In contemporary societies, many individuals and communities trace both heritages and may identify with one, the other, or a blended identity.

Language typically plays a central role in ArabBerber identity. Many people speak Arabic as a common lingua franca while also using Berber languages (such as Tamazight, Tarifit, Tashelhit, or Kabyle) as mother tongues or regional languages. Bilingualism and language contact are common, and national policies regarding the status of Berber languages have influenced education and public life in various countries.

Identity and politics around ArabBerber heritage vary by country and by individual. Some view Arab-Berber identity as a bridge that emphasizes shared North African roots, while others maintain distinct Arab or Amazigh self-concepts. Cultural expressions—music, cuisine, dress, and social customs—often reflect blended Arab and Berber influences, reflecting long histories of coexistence and exchange.

See also: Berber people, Arab people, Amazigh movement.