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The Amazigh Cultural
Association in America (ACAA), Inc., is a non-profit organization
registered in the state of New Jersey. It is organized and operated
exclusively for cultural, educational, and scientific purposes to
contribute to saving, promoting, and enriching the Amazigh (Berber)
language and culture. ACAA participates globally in the revival of
the Amazigh culture.
While the heartland of Amazigh culture lies in North Africa (Tamazgha),
including the Canary Islands, people of Amazigh background also live
around the globe, by reason of immigration. The need for many people
of Amazigh descent in America to connect culturally with the Amazigh
world can be seen, ultimately, as the major reason for the birth of
ACAA.
The practice of Amazigh language and culture has been seriously diminished
by long periods of non-recognition in North African countries, officially
identified as Arab and where Arabic is the only recognized and official
language, and by immigration itself. Over the last fifteen years or
so, the expression of Amazigh language and culture has become more
acceptable in North Africa. At the same time, the Amazigh diaspora
in America, Europe, and elsewhere has become more interested in preserving
the Amazigh language and culture. Interest among scholars and researchers
is also appreciable.
ACAA strives to address, in its activities and programs, the most
evident impediments to language, communication, and cultural practice.
In its endeavor to achieve its goals, optimize global exchange of
information and implement certain projects, ACAA collaborates with
cultural and educational associations, universities and scholars from
around the world. Since its inception in 1992, ACAA has seen its activities
in America grow. Following are descriptions of the specific programs
and activities of ACAA, both those undertaken since its creation and
those presently planned.
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