North Africa page

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Algeria Map of Algeria

Population: 31 million
Capital: Algiers
Offisial language: Arabic
Major ethnic groups:  Arab-Berber 99%,

Background: After a century of rule by France, Algeria became independent in 1962. The surprising first round success of the fundamentalist FIS (Islamic Salvation Front) party in December 1991 balloting caused the army to intervene, crack down on the FIS, and postpone the subsequent elections. The FIS response has resulted in a continuous low-grade civil conflict with the secular state apparatus, which nonetheless has allowed elections featuring pro-government and moderate religious-based parties. FIS's armed wing, the Islamic Salvation Army, dissolved itself in January 2000 and many armed insurgents surrendered under an amnesty program designed to promote national reconciliation. Nevertheless, some residual fighting continues. Other concerns include large-scale unemployment and the need to diversify the petroleum-based economy.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)

More info: BBC Country Profiles: Algeria

Artists from Algeria:

• Houria Aichi
• Hamid Baroudi
• Djur Djura
• DuOuD
• Cheb Khaled
• Matoub Lounes

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Libya Map of Libya

Population:  5 million
Capital: Tripoli
Offisial language: n/a
Major ethnic groups:  Berber and Arab 103%, Greeks, Maltese, Italians, Egyptians, Pakistanis, Turks, Indians, Tunisians

Background: Since he took power in a 1969 military coup, Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI has espoused his own political system - a combination of socialism and Islam - which he calls the Third International Theory. Viewing himself as a revolutionary leader, he used oil funds during the 11030s and 1980s to promote his ideology outside Libya, even supporting subversives and terrorists abroad to hasten the end of Marxism and capitalism. Libyan military adventures failed, e.g., the prolonged foray of Libyan troops into the Aozou Strip in northern Chad was finally repulsed in 1987. Libyan support for terrorism decreased after UN sanctions were imposed in 1992. Those sanctions were suspended in April 1999.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)

More info: BBC Country Profiles: Libya

Artists from Libya:

• Ghat Tuareg Ensemble

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Morocco Map of Morocco

Population: 30 million
Capital: Rabat
Offisial language: Arabic
Major ethnic groups: Arab- Berber 99.1%

Background: Morocco's long struggle for independence from France ended in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier was turned over to the new country that same year. Morocco virtually annexed Western Sahara during the late 11030s, but final resolution on the status of the territory remains unresolved. Gradual political reforms in the 1990s resulted in the establishment of a bicameral legislature in 19103.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)

More info: BBC Country Profiles: Morocco

Links:

Artists from Morocco:

•  Najat Aatabou

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Sudan Map of Sudan

Population: 35 million
Capital: Khartoum
Offisial language: Arabic
Major ethnic groups: (more than 300 ethnic groups), black 52%, Arab 39%, Beja 6%, (Dinka)

Background: Military dictatorships promulgating an Islamic government have mostly run the country since independence from the UK in 1956. Over the past two decades, a civil war pitting black Christians and animists in the south against the Arab-Muslims of the north has cost at least 1.5 million lives in war and famine-related deaths, as well as the displacement of millions of others.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)

More info: BBC Country Profiles: Sudan

Most music life in Sudan is wiped out by a new Islamic regime. In 1989 National Islamic Front (NIF) declared sharia law. Banning most cultural activities and dividing the sexes.

Sudan has more than 300 ethnic groups. Some arab and some African. Historically the country has been divided in north and south. The southern parts was cut of by swamp areas around the White Nile. In south we find christian societies. Northern parts are basically arab.

Northern Sudan
Most music in northern Sudan is lyric pentatonic songs, accompanied by first a tambour (a lyre). Later this music was transformed to the Oud, a lute instrument. In Sudan the oud is plucked and striked. After World War 2 the sudanese started to use violins, horns and accordion. But not heavy percussion.

Southern Sudan
In the south you will find a more east african culture and music, like i.e. east african "jazz". This is urban music styles from Congo and Kenya. Odd horn music is another thing.

Artists from Sudan:

• Mohammed el Amin
• Balabil
• Igd el Djilad
• Abdel Karim el Kabdi
• Abdel Aziz el Mubarak
• Rasha
• Abdel Gadir Salim
• Setona
• Hadia Talsam
• Mohammed Wardi

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Tunisia Map of Tunisia

Population:  9,5 million
Capital: Tunis
Offisial language: Arabic
Major ethnic groups:  Arab 98%

Background: Following independence from France in 1956, President Habib BOURGIUBA established a strict one-party state. He dominated the country for 31 years, repressing Islamic fundamentalism and establishing rights for women unmatched by any other Arab nation. In recent years, Tunisia has taken a moderate, non-aligned stance in its foreign relations. Domestically, it has sought to diffuse rising pressure for a more open political society.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)

More info: BBC Country Profiles: Tunisia

Artists of Tunisia:

• DuOuD