A second-century writer born at Madauros — modern M’Daourouch in Souk Ahras Province — not only called himself “half Numidian, half Gaetulian” in his own defence speech, but smuggled his […]
Read MoreThe Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania: Algeria’s Ancient Monument That Still Defies Explanation
On a hilltop plateau about 70 kilometres west of Algiers, there is a circular stone tomb the size of a small stadium. It has been standing for roughly two thousand […]
Read MoreJardin d’Essai du Hamma: Algiers’ 32-Hectare Green Lung Where Histories Meet
The Jardin d’Essai du Hamma — also known as El Hamma Botanical Garden or simply Jardin d’Essai — is one of Algiers’ most distinctive public spaces. Spread across roughly 32 […]
Read MoreThe Algerian Coffee Houses: Four Centuries of Sociability, Politics, and Community
Few public spaces in Algeria carry as much social weight as the coffee house. From the traditional café maure (a traditional North African-style café/tea room, often serving coffee, mint tea, […]
Read MoreWhy “Bou-” Is So Common in Algerian Surnames
If you have Algerian friends or colleagues, you may know at least one Bouali, Bouazza, or Boumaza. The prefix Bou- is one of the most recognisable features of Algerian surnames […]
Read MoreThe Pieds-Noirs: History, Identity, and Legacy
The term pieds-noirs – often glossed as ‘black feet’, though the term’s origin is disputed – refers to the European settler population of French Algeria, a community whose 132-year presence […]
Read More