From realizing Bedouin and Berber culture to marveling at European ruins, this look at North African history reveals a new side to it.
North Africa, known for its carpets, pyramids and diverse Arabic dialects, has much more to offer than tourists and explorers think. The region is the result of colonization by various European countries, the Arab Caliphate and Islam, and the mixing of ethnic tribes. As a result, it has become a kind of melting pot for old and new - and very different - civilizations.
It's easy to get lost in kingdoms that were once considered superpowers, the playground of Europe and the Trojan Horse of the Arab Caliphate. The history of North Africa is intriguing, it is unique and it always attracts the attention of history and culture lovers.
Siwa Oasis: lost tribes and oracle temple
It is no secret that North Africa has learned bits and pieces of history from both the Arab invaders who spread Islam and the Europeans, who were in a constant struggle for power among themselves. Undoubtedly, they have also learned a lot from their South African neighbors.
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However, we must not forget that North African countries were once some of the most powerful nations on Earth. We need to travel back in time to find out what remains of them today. The Siwa Oasis is a great place to start. It is one of the most isolated human settlements in Egypt, and it showcases the diversity of the country.
The Berbers (Bedouin shepherds) living in Siwa have maintained their customs and traditions for thousands of years, and while remaining in seclusion, have been able to retain some of their Egyptian identity as well.
The Siwa Oasis has many attractions, including two temples dedicated to the Egyptian god Amon, the most famous of which is the Temple of the Oracle, built during the 30th Dynasty and still standing today. The oasis itself is an absolute work of art created by nature.
It was the oracle of Amon at Siwa in 332 BC that proclaimed
Alexander of Macedon Pharaoh of Egypt, reinforcing his divine status. Over time, under the
Ptolemies, the grandeur of the Temple of Amon gradually faded. After the conquest of Egypt by the Romans in 20 BC in its place erected a sanctuary of Jupiter, symbolizing the dominance of the new power. However, even this shrine did not resist the changes of the epochs - in the 390s, during the Christianization of
Roman Empire, the temple was finally destroyed.
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For thousands of years, this territory has been conquered by different countries, forced to speak different languages, forced to become "civilized" under conditions set by foreigners. However, these people stood their ground. They did not forget who they were and did not lose their language and culture.
Volubilis: Meknes' younger brother.
When thinking about Morocco and especially the European influence on it, historians assume the presence of the Spanish or French. However, the Romans were also involved in shaping Moroccan identity.
One place in Morocco that is usually overlooked because of nearby popular cities like Meknes is Volubilis. Volubilis tells not only about the Roman Empire and its power, but also about the different tribes that were learning to adjust to Roman life.
Volubilis originated in the 3rd century BC as a Berber settlement, but a few centuries later, in the 1st century AD, it became part of the Roman Empire. Due to its strategic location at the crossroads of key trade routes and fertile lands, the city quickly became a prosperous center. Grain crops, grapes and olive trees were actively cultivated here, and olive oil production became a major source of wealth.
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With the fall of the Roman Empire, Volubilis gradually declined, but continued to be a significant place in the history of the region. In the 7th century it became part of the Arab world, and by the 18th century it was finally deserted after a devastating earthquake. Despite this, even the surviving ruins retain a trace of the grandeur of former times, reminding of the heyday of the ancient city.
In the city you can find well-preserved Roman ruins, such as the Basilica, which was the center of administrative and judicial affairs. Today, its ruins are a majestic reminder of the past, with slender columns and fragments of mosaic floors that still impress with their craftsmanship.
One of the most impressive features of Volubilis are the Roman villas decorated with exquisite mosaics. These works of art depict scenes from mythology, animals and complex geometric patterns, reflecting the wealth and taste of their owners.
Especially famous are the mosaics found in the House of Orpheus and the House of Venus, where ancient masters depicted subjects filled with symbolism and aesthetic perfection. The mosaics depict scenes from Roman mythology, like the pyramids in Egypt, they tell a story through art.
Oran: Connecting East and West
Oran is not the most popular place in Algeria, but what makes it unique is that it is a city where everyone - including Turks - has set foot at one time or another. People often talk about how North African countries have been invaded and assimilated to the culture of their oppressors.
Mostly, however, people think of the Arab Caliphates and the Western Europeans. However, when the Turks came to power, they for a time completely controlled the lands connecting Asia, Europe and North Africa in the form of the vast and powerful Ottoman Empire.
The name "Oran" comes from a corruption of an Arabic word that derives from an ancient Berber expression meaning "Two Lions".
According to local legend, around 900 B.C. lions inhabited the area of the present-day city, but their population declined over time. The last two lions were killed by settlers on a hill west of Oran, which was later named "Lion Mountain". Since then, these predators have become the symbol of the city, and their images adorn its coat of arms.
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Oran is a great example of one of the cities that the Turks controlled in Algeria. One of the greatest buildings in the city, showcasing Islamic and Ottoman architecture, is the palace of the bey. The word "bey" translates to "lord" or "master" from Turkish.
This palace was once the residence of Turkish leaders who controlled part of the Western Beylik (territory). Today it is considered an important part of Algeria's national heritage.
Oran is also famous for its music. Oran is worth a visit for all fans of rai music, which originated in this city. This genre began to develop in the 1930s and is still popular in some parts of Algeria.
It is a unique musical style that incorporates elements of Arabic folk music, Berber song traditions, as well as French, Spanish and African influences.
Rai performers are called shebami (meaning "young"), emphasizing the rebellious and innovative spirit of the genre. The style originated in Oran and quickly spread to other Algerian cities, especially among the poor.
Initially, rajas were sung exclusively by men, but by the end of the twentieth century women had joined in. The subject matter of the songs often touched on pressing social issues, including anti-colonial struggles, criticism of authority and pressing societal problems, making rai not just a musical phenomenon but an important part of cultural and political expression.
Marrakech: Red Morocco
Arabs were not always the majority in the Middle East and North Africa. The rise of Islam in the seventh century led to the spread of not only Islam but also Arab identity. Before the Arab invasions of North Africa, each people had their own script and language, as well as their own religion. Most were Christian and Jewish, but some also believed in polytheistic religions.
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Today, you can walk through cities that tell the story of how regions came together in the name of Islam and Arab identity. One city where you can see the imprint of Arab dynasties is Marrakech in Morocco, also known as the "Red City".
The city was founded about a thousand years ago and tells the history and way of life of Moroccans. Here you can explore Islamic architecture by entering the Bahia and Badii palaces, true gems of the medieval period, as well as the Merrakesh Mosque.
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Within the beautiful red walls that fringe the city is the Koutoubia Mosque, showcasing the splendor of Islamic civilization, which is still alive and well in Morocco today. Marrakech also has many other interesting places to visit, including the Jemaa el Fna square, which is the city's calling card.
The Ruins of Carthage: Capturing the Roman Empire
No trip to Tunisia would be complete without a visit to Carthage, a city that once threatened the Roman Empire.
This city was originally founded by Phoenicians who wanted to establish their colony and migrated from the eastern Mediterranean in the 9th century BC. Carthage was originally intended to be a settlement to promote trade in the Mediterranean, but by 264 BC its population and power had grown and it was already at war with the Romans. This series of conflicts lasted about a century and was later known as the Punic Wars.
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By 146 BC, Carthage was at war with the Romans on land and sea, but eventually the Romans captured the city and left it in ruins. In its place, they created a new Roman city, which was captured centuries later by the invading Arabs.
Today, this ancient site is filled with the ruins of past glories and defeats and overlooks the Mediterranean Sea from the top of Birsa Hill. It is the richest archaeological site in all of Tunisia, and possibly in all of North Africa, as it is filled with Carthaginian, Roman, Byzantine and Arab ruins.