The Amazigh community from Morocco -about 16,500,000 people according to Linguamon sources- has a new tool to promote and spread its own language since the beginning of 2010. The Amazigh language is spoken in Northern Africa long before the arrival of Arabic.

The new state-owned channel, called Tamazight, will be on a testing stage until March 1st. According to the Moroccan ministry for Communication, the channel will broadcast 70% of its contents in the 3 varieties of Amazigh spoken in Morocco Tachlhit, Tarifit and Tamazight. Programs will be subtitled in Arabic.

It is indeed the first Moroccan public Amazigh language channel ever. There are, however, 3 other Amazigh channels currently broadcasting via satellite, one of which is Berbère TV (website unavailable), a Paris-based TV mainly broadcasting for Amazighs from Kabylie in Algeria and abroad.

Further information:

• AFP: Maroc: lancement d'une chaîne de télévision publique en amazigh (berbère)