#yefren

[gwendolynlerman]

Discovering the World

Libya 🇱🇾

Basic facts

Official name: دولة ليبيا (Dawlat Lībiyā) (State of Libya)

Capital city: Tripoli

Population: 6.8 million (2023)

Demonym: Libyan

Type of government: unitary parliamentary republic

Head of state: Mohamed al-Menfi (Chairman of the Presidential Council)

Head of government: Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh (Prime Minister)

Gross domestic product (purchasing power parity): $183.39 billion (2024)

Gini coefficient of wealth inequality: 44.1% (medium) (2019)

Human Development Index: 0.746 (high) (2022)

Currency: Libyan dinar (LYD)

Fun fact: It has Africa’s largest proven oil reserves.

Etymology

The country’s name comes from Libu, a tribe of Amazigh origin.

Geography

Libya is located in North Africa and borders the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad to the south, Niger to the southwest, Algeria to the west, and Tunisia to the northwest.

There are four main climates: hot-summer Mediterranean and cold steppe in the northeast, hot steppe in the northeast and northwest, and hot desert in the rest. Temperatures range from 4 °C (39.2 °F) in winter to 38 °C (100.4 °F) in summer. The average annual temperature is 20.2 °C (68.3 °F).

The country is divided into twenty-two districts (baladiyat). The largest cities in Libya are Tripoli, Benghazi, Misrata, Beida, and Khoms.

History

911-609 BCE: Neo-Assyrian Empire

630-525 BCE: Ancient Greece

525-330 BCE: Achaemenid Empire

331-30 BCE: Ptolemaic Kingdom

146 BCE-533 CE: Roman Empire

533-661 CE: Byzantine Empire

661-750: Umayyad Caliphate

750-1517: Abbasid Caliphate

1250-1517: Mamluk Sultanate

1551-1912: Ottoman Empire

1911-1934: Italian Cyrenaica; Italian Tripolitania

1934-1943: Italian Libya

1943-1951: British Military Administration of Libya; Fezzan-Ghadames Military Territory

1949-1951: Emirate of Cyrenaica

1951-1963: United Kingdom of Libya

1963-1969: Kingdom of Libya

1969-1977: Libyan Arab Republic

1977: Egyptian-Libyan War

1977-1986: Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

1978-1987: Chadian-Libyan War

1986-2011: Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

2011: First Libyan Civil War

2011-present: State of Libya

2014-2020: Second Libyan Civil War

Economy

Libya mainly imports from Türkiye, Greece, and China and exports to Italy, Germany, and Spain. Its top exports are crude oil, rice, and dates.

The oil sector accounts for over half of the GDP. Industry represents 63.8% of the GDP, followed by services (34.9%) and agriculture (1.3%).

Libya is a member of the African Union, the Arab League, the Organization for Islamic Cooperation, and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.

Demographics

Arabs account for 92% of the population, while Imazighen represent 5%. The state religion is Islam, practiced by 96.6% of the population, 94.2% of which is Sunni.

It has a positive net migration rate and a fertility rate of 3 children per woman. 80.1% of the population lives in urban areas. Life expectancy is 73.2 years and the median age is 25.8 years. The literacy rate is 91%.

Languages

The official language of the country is Arabic. Amazigh languages include Awjilah, Ghadamès, Nafusi, Tamahaq, and Yefren.

Culture

Libyan culture has Amazigh, Arab, Bedouin, and Italian influences. Libyans are extremely generous and hospitable.

Men traditionally wear a long, white shirt (jalabiya), pants (sirwal), an embroidered jacket (sadriya), and a headdress (shashiyah). Women wear an embroidered blouse with baggy sleeves, a dress, and a headscarf (hijab).

Architecture

Traditional houses in Libya are made of white painted stone and have flat roofs.

Cuisine

The Libyan diet is based on fish, meat, pasta, and vegetables. Typical dishes include batata mubattana (fried potatoes filled with minced meat and covered with egg and breadcrumbs), bazin (unleavened bread made of barley served with eggs, meat, potatoes, and tomato sauce), makroudh (a diamond-shaped cookie filled with dates and almond past), shakshouka (poached eggs in tomato sauce), and usban (a sausage stuffed with meat and rice).

Holidays and festivals

Like other Muslim countries, Libya celebrates Islamic New Year, Mawlid, Eid al-Fitr, Day of Arafah, and Eid al-Adha. It also commemorates Labor Day.

Specific Libyan holidays include February 17 Revolution Day on February 17, Commemoration of the Victory over Kadhafi on March 19, Martyrs’ Day on September 16, Liberation Day on October 23, and Independence Day on December 24.

Independence Day

Other celebrations include the Acacus Festival, with music performances in the desert; the Nalut Spring Festival, which features parades and performances, and the Zuwarah Awessu Festival, which includes ritual sea bathing.

Nalut Spring Festival

Landmarks

There are five UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Archeological Site of Cyrene, Archeological Site of Leptis Magna, Archeological Site of Sabratha, Old Town of Ghadamès, and Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus.

Archeological Site of Sabratha

Other landmarks include the Al-Majidya Mosque, the Benghazi Cathedral, the Martyrs’ Square, the Red Castle, and the Roman Arch of Marcus Aurelius.

Martyrs’ Square

Famous people

Ahmed Fakroun - singer

Dania Ben Sassi - singer

Fairouz Belkheir - fashion designer

Ghada Ali - athlete

Leslie Stewart - movie director

Maryam Salama - poet and writer

Nahla Bushnaf - photographer and teacher

Samir Aboud - soccer player

Sulaiman al-Barouni - writer

Suleiman Ali Nashnush - actor and basketball player

Suleiman Ali Nashnush

You can find out more about life in Libya in this article and this video.

[sheltiechicago]

Nada Harib’s portrait of her cousin, Mira, in Yefren, Libya, wearing their grandmother’s tlaba (wool garment). Harib says: ‘After the revolution, Libyans, including myself, began to recognise the value of our culture and traditions, and are trying their best to revive them. In 2018, I started my ongoing project Women of Libya to explore my Amazigh roots and revive the cultural heritage of my hometown in the Nefussa mountains’

Photograph: Nada Harib

[tiwatriwin]

[libya-alhurra]

Update from Yefren, Kikla and Al Qalaa

May 28, 2011, 10.15 pm : update on the current situation in Yefren, Kikla and Al Qalaa, recorded live on Libya Alhurra.

Part 1: Part 2:

[libya-alhurra]

English translation:

Caller: "There is mass destruction and heavy bombardment day and night. There are lots of dead and injured. We are without hospitals, no humanitarian aid. People here are in a suffocating siege; everything is destroyed. Even the animals didn't survive. Medical supplies are completely depleted. Everyone is suffereing, old people are dying. This siege is inhumane. The elderly are dying, there is no baby milk. Water supplies are depelted. Everything is depleted. There are fires everywhere. People, animals, everyone is dying from the bombardment. There are no hospitals, no doctors, no supplies. Those injured are dying from their wounds, bleeding to death. Some of their wounds are rotting because there is no one to take care of them. There is no hope, no aid, nothing here. Where is the world? Where are all the humanitarian organizations? Where is your human conscience? Where is the Red Cross? Where is Doctors Without Borders (MSF)? There are a lot of people dying, many are starving to death. A mass extermination is happening here. Everything is unbearable here. It's hell on earth. We are appealing for the world's assistance. This is an immenent human disaster. We call for any help, any assistance, any solution to solve this! It is as if we don't belong to this world, as though we are from another planet. We've appealed for your help so many times, we've asked for your help so many times. But the world is deaf, doesn't hear anything. It is as though we belong to another planet, not planet earth. Everyone has disappointed us, everyone has let us down and left us to die; as though we are not human. Why are we being ignored? How long will this go on? We have been under siege for months. People here are without water, without electricity, without medicine, without food. Rockets are landing on us day and night. Fires are erupting day and night as well." Question: "What has happened today?" Caller: "Today, seven have been wounded, three martyred. Battles are ongoing. No communication at all, no one can call anyone even inside the city. Right now, it's in complete darkness. Everything is cut off. We have no fuel, people cannot travel anywhere. Conditions are very bad and keep getting worse. We blame the world for not coming in and helping us."

[libya-alhurra]

IMPORTANT: Press Release for the Nafusa Mountains May 27, 2011

May 27, 2011 - Nafusa Mountains:

PRESS RELEASE AND LOCATIONS OF PRO G FORCES THAT ARE ATTACKING CIVILIANS INCLUDING THE USE OF CLUSTER BOMBS AND PREVENTING AID FOR THE ATTENTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL PRESS

A MESSAGE TO THE WORLD ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF YEFREN AND ALGALA’A

- NAFUSA MOUNTAINS , LIBYA

We are approaching the seventh week of a complete siege on the cities of Yefren, Al-Gala’a (since April 3). Approximately 7000 to 10,000 civilian men, women and children have been trapped in the cities of Yefren and Al-Gala’a, suffering these past 7 weeks under the continuous siege of the area by Gaddafi loyalist troops.  The only region under complete tight siege in Libya .....Torture. Starvation. Disease. Under the harsh conditions of these relentless attacks, both physical and psychological scars have been inflicted upon the people. The trauma cuts deeper and deeper as the days go by. Every second of their lives has become a constant struggle for survival. Yet the desperate cries of these people have gone largely unnoticed by both the Libyan and the International communities. When will the eyes in the sky assist to protect these people? When will the world respond to halt an exponentially worsening human catastrophe?

On behalf of the Libyan People in Yefren (Largest Amazigh City in Libya), this is an URGENT and SERIOUS appeal to International Humanitarian Agencies, the United Nations, the ICRC, NATO, and the NTC. Additionally, we would also like to put forward the proposal of a collaboration and partnership with local humanitarian workers, with the exception of the Libyan Red Crescent that is situated in Tripoli , to implement an aid and human corridor to these areas. This aid and human corridor will ensure that these helpless civilian men, women and children will be protected and innocent lives saved. I trust we can respond to this humane request before it is too late.The situation is serious and urgent.

(Read More)

[libya-alhurra]

Caller from Yefren Mountains, May 25

May 25 2011, 10 pm local time: live call from Yefren Mountains, recorded live on Libya Alhurra. The city has been under complete siege since April 4. (Full English transcript below). Part 1: Part 2: English transcription:

We have been blocked from all sides since 4 April, we are hiding in caves, no water, no hospitals, no electricity. People are suffering, especially those who have suffered illnesses like strokes, heart disease. People live in the dark. There is bombing in the center of the city. The people are very down because they feel that they have been deserted. The old people and the sick people cannot get medical treatment. People feel deceived. There is no food. People who have fled, left some food, and that is what those remaining have been using. We are awaiting aid but it has not arrived. We have been promised aid and help, but so far nothing. People here don't feel that NATO is supporting them much. NATO is shelling far away but there is no shelling in the areas that are blocked. We are in hell, and there is complete destruction. Q: How can NATO help? By air? Or? If they can drop weapons, that would help our Freedom Fighters to fight. There are many proposals. We are ready to fight. We need arms. Just drop us some weapons. We cannot continue like this. The helicopters can solve the problem. NATO has experience. Q: How do you give your information to the world? We talk to the NTC. And technology, they can help. The world knows what is happening here. We have contact with some media. We are still suffering and we do not see any changes. People here don't trust. The promises, nothing has changed. A lot of talk, but nothing on the ground. Q: How are the injured being treated? Things are getting worse. No doctors, no medications. We are treating people with medicinal herbs. Q: Do you feel that you are alone? We know that all the cities have been shelled. And it is Gaddafi's politics - cruelty. Q: How do you feel about what is happening? People are listening to us now, as I said. People want to know how you feel and we want to spread your word, whatever you want. If all of us in this area can band together, we can push Gaddafi's troops away. What is happening is that the cities are being invaded. He is trying to keep us separated. He does not want us to unite. The will of the revolutionaries is strong. They will never surrender. They will stand at the last moment. Thank you for encouraging us, and thank you for your concern, and to all the people who are for peace in the world. We believe the victory will be soon and we thank you for listening to us. I hope that you will get aid soon. God help you all. The Freedom Fighters' moral is very high. God protect us.

[libya-alhurra]

CRITICAL: Live Call and Message from Yefren May 24, 2011

May 24, 2011, 11.30 pm local time - Yefren, Libya: Libya Alhurra live call with Yefren (English and Spanish translations below)

English Translation by 4evrlonghorn, wafaa, ayatsm

Peace be upon you We want to thank you for your patience What is happening there now? Ghaddafi troops are shelling and it is very dangerous.  We are still being shelled - we've been shelled for about 2 months by hawn (?) and anti crafts, from every side and the situation is horrible.  They have blocked all the entrances into Yefren.  Still shelling by all kind of ammunitions.  There is fear.  We are living in caves with no electricity.  45 days without electricity to protect ourselves from shelling.  The Freedom Fighters have become doctors and nurses.  The Freedom Fighters are performing surgeries on injured without electricity and medications.  From all fronts we are getting shelled.  No pain medicines.  They are performing operations in schools.  They house the injured in the schools and treat them there.  We don't have hospitals.  If we could we would have sent you pictures.

Q: Have we asked them about food? Water? We are making  medical operations in schools. Can you imagine that? (call dropped)

Translation in Spanish by albahak:

Desde Yefren, últimas noticias:

El ataque es cada vez mas feroz contra Yefren. Las fuerzas de Gadafi están bombardiendo, de continuo, ahora durante dos meses o más, desde todas las direcciones incluso desde el centro de Yefren, usando artillería pesada, es una situación lamentable, han bloqueado todas las entradas que llevan a Yefren. Esta es la situación de los civiles.

Entre los revolucionarios, estamos viviendo en cuevas para protegernos. Llevamos 45 días sin electricidad. Los revolucionarios tienen que atender a los heridos sin ser médicos y incluso les tienen que operar a veces sin anestesia, no hay medicinas. Algunos heridos tienen gangrena. Como no hay hospital estamos atendiendo a los heridos en un colegio. Si tuviéramos la posibilidad mandaríamos videos o fotografías, pero….

PERDEMOS LINEA Y CONEXIÓN.