SURVEY ON THE BERBER SIGNS

Air vent sign above a door in the Hammamet Medina
(TUNISIA) © C. Sorand

The current ongoing analysis pursues previous studies in decrypting the meanings of the Berber symbolic signs encountered in artistic designs such as pottery, jewelry, murals, doors, or any other forms of architecture.

Berber signs are easily recognized through their geometrical design. They often carry a visual message that has not been sufficiently acknowledged. Yet, we think, it may well help us understand better the impact of their overall social value.

The origin of these signs goes back to the Neolithic period. As they are still in use, the historical link bears a valuable source of knowledge. If these signs initially had a spiritual value based on their pagan ancestry, they have remained alive till today because they also carry a deep-rooted attachment to Mother Earth. This is an important factor because the natural environment has always been a core value for the Berbers.

In the Kabyle region of Algeria, there also exists a significant use of regional signs having a specific significance. However, this paper considers the geometric signs that are recognized as having a widespread common background in the Maghreb region of northern Africa. Consequently, considering the value of the signs, enables us to attach them to their deep African heritage. Paleo-anthropologists may also find it useful as some share an identity to the prehistoric rock art such as in the Tassili n’Ajjer. This text first identifies 7 geometrical shapes: the dot, the square and the rectangle, the triangle, the lozenge, the cross, and the circle. In the earthenware pottery, squaring the circle is also an interesting feature encountered in some isolated regions such as the Aurès. But, the text considers the design of the six-pointed cross analyzed here as being a “solar wheel”. Its recurrence is justified through an array of photographic documents collected in Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. Due to the importance of early Christianism mostly in the eastern part of the Maghreb, we think this particular design may also have inspired the early Chrism sign. The last geometric sign considered is the eight-pointed cross.

We hope that this extended analysis will help have a better understanding of the Berber geometric signs and will enable making useful links.

C.S.

Bangkok, August 2023