Even today local traditions and Siwi, the local Berber language, dominate.

BBC: Siwa: An Egyptian oasis

Morocco's king, Mohammed VI, announced several reforms, including new parliamentary elections, civic and social equality for women, and recognition of the indigenous Berber language as an official state language along with Arabic.

CNN: Rappers in Casablanca rage against injustice

The Kabyle mother tongue, Berber, is an oral language still in the process of being codified.

ECONOMIST: Algeria

An increasingly strident language movement is demanding that the Berber tongue, Tamarzight, be taught in schools.

ECONOMIST: Morocco��s brave new king