Ammar Negadi (19432 December 2008) was an Algerian Berber linguist and writer known for his fervent advocacy for the

Tifinagh Tifinagh ( Tuareg Berber language: ; Neo-Tifinagh: ; Berber Latin alphabet: ; ) is a script used to write the Berber languages. Tifinagh is descended from the ancient Libyco-Berber alphabet. The traditional Tifinagh, sometimes called Tuareg Tifi ...

script.

Biography

Born in 1943 in Bélezma, Merouana, in the Aurès region of Algeria, Negadi played a pivotal role in shaping the discourse and activism surrounding Amazigh rights, particularly during a time of cultural suppression and political adversity. in the late 1960s Negadi moved to France and became actively involved with the

Berber Academy Académie Berbère d'Échange et de Recherches Culturels, usually shortened to Académie Berbère or the Berber Academy was a Paris-based Kabyle cultural association formed in 1966 and officially authorized in March 1967 with the objective of raisi ...

. He was one of the few Chaoui members, and he quickly distinguished himself as a vocal advocate for

revival and recognition. in 1973, Mohand Arav Bessaoud vouched for him to chair the academy as secretary general. Negadi's tenure was marked by his prolific writings and advocacy efforts, Afterward he started distributing Tifinagh publications in the Aures region. However, in 1975, Negadi left the academy, citing 'infiltrations by agitators' as the reason. In 1980, Negadi, alongside Professor Messaoud Nedjahi and other activists from the Aurès region, founded the association UPA (Union of the Amazigh People). Ammar Negadi resting place

This spin-off association continued to promote a standardized version of the

Neo-Tifinagh Tifinagh ( Tuareg Berber language: ; Neo-Tifinagh: ; Berber Latin alphabet: ; ) is a script used to write the Berber languages. Tifinagh is descended from the ancient Libyco-Berber alphabet. The traditional Tifinagh, sometimes called Tuareg Tifi ...

script through its ''Azaghen/Link'' publication. By 1993, there were several sets of Neo-Tifinagh fonts in place. Negadi is also credited with establishing a

Berber calendar The Berber calendar () is the agricultural calendar traditionally used by Berbers (''Amazigh'', plural ''Imazighen''). The calendar is utilized to regulate the seasonal agricultural works. The current Berber calendar is a legacy of the Roman pr ...

linked to an ancient event contrary to the traditional calendar that doesn't compute the years. This new calendar gained recognition and has been featured on Algerian currency since 2022. The calendar marks the beginning of Berber history, corresponding to the year

Shoshenq Shoshenq (also commonly spelled Sheshonq, Sheshonk, Shoshenk, Shashank) was the name of many Ancient Egyptians with Libu ancestry since the Third Intermediate Period. People named Shoshenq Several pharaohs with this name are known, as well as man ...

was enthroned as Pharaoh of Egypt in 950 BC.

Legacy

Ammar Negadi's legacy transcends his scholarly contributions; he is remembered as a dean among Amazigh activists in the Aurès, Following Negadi's passing on December 2, 2008, his body was repatriated to Algeria, where he was laid to rest in his hometown of Merouana. The funeral was attended by a multitude of activists from across the Aurès region, underscoring the profound respect and admiration he commanded within the Amazigh community. In 2018, Ammar Negadi's final wish was fulfilled when over 7,000 books and documents his association had collected on Aures history were donated to universities in Batna and Khenchela

References

{{Reflist 1943 births 2008 deaths Algerian Berbers Chaoui people