Algeria is a country that’s pretty much seen it all. In 642 AD, Arab Muslims invaded and converted the native Berbers to Islam, a change that was topped off by the Ottoman Empire, who protected North Africa from invasion by major European powers until the 19th century. In 1830, the French annexed Algeria and despite uprisings, the country remained under French control until 1954. Following a bloody war for independence in which a tenth of the Algerian population died, Algeria was declared an independent nation in 1962.
Since then, various factions in Algeria continue to fight among themselves for political and social freedom. The 1988 birth of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) that advocated a return to traditional Islamic values led to the cancellation of the 1991 elections and the exile of 10,000 FIS members. The result was civil war. Violent conflicts between the military government and its opposition continue into the 21st century.
Today, Algeria has a population of almost 34 million people, most of whom live in urban areas. Southern Algeria includes part of the Sahara desert. Over 80% of the country is desert and these regions are virtually uninhabited.
Arabic is Algeria’s national language, although French is also widely understood. Algerians speak an Arabic dialect that includes many slang terms from French and Berber words. Common male names include Abd al-Haq, Hamid, and Abd al-Latif.
First Impressions
Many city-dwelling Algerian guys dress in modern Western-style clothing, although some still dress in traditional clothes. Men in the villages tend to wear a long, hooded robe called a burnous and baggy trousers.
Algerians shake hands to greet each other and it’s quite common for two guys to kiss each other on the cheek. Religious men don’t shake hands with women. Algerian guys and girls don’t generally socialize together and are separated at most gatherings. Dating is not allowed for the most part and families or matchmakers commonly arrange marriages.
Algerian houses and gardens are usually surrounded by high walls to protect privacy and most homes have a central, open area or patio surrounded by other rooms. Algeria’s severe housing shortage has made it common for more than one family to live together in the same house.
An Education Injection
About a third of Algerians work in industrial jobs. A further third are farm workers, mostly on small, privately owned farms. Algerians who can’t find work at home often go abroad to Europe, especially France.
In 1962, when Algeria gained independence from France, only 10% of the population was literate. Since then the Algerian government has strongly supported education and in 2008, 80% of Algerians could read and write.
Children go to school from 5-15. After that, they choose general, technical, or vocational secondary education. Teenagers sit exams prior to graduating from secondary school, in order to determine what kind of college or university they can attend.
Soccer-tastic
Algeria’s national sport is soccer, which is equally popular for spectators and players. The Algerian national football team takes part in African Football Confederation matches and it’s common to see boys playing soccer outside city housing developments. Algerian guys also love horseback riding, tennis and swimming. You can find clubs and resorts that specialize in swimming, water-skiing, and tennis dotted all along the Mediterranean coast of Algeria and boy, do Algerian guys love the beach! When it comes to evening entertainment, a common gripe among Algerians is that the country doesn’t have enough cinemas or nightclubs, although more and more are slowly opening up. Television shows are produced in both Arabic and French.
The Way to an Algerian Man’s Heart?
The family is the heart of Algerian social life and Algerians are extremely hospital to their guests, lavishing them with pastries and sweets. The country celebrates both secular and Muslim holidays.
Algerian cooking is famous for its generous use of spices, especially cumin, coriander, and cinnamon. Islamic law forbids the consumption of pork and alcoholic beverages, although Algeria does produce wine for export to Europe.
Couscous, Algeria’s national dish, is generally served with lamb or chicken, or mixed with vegetables. Dried fruits are a firm favourite in main courses and desserts and a popular (and delicious) combination at the Algerian dinner table is couscous, meat, and fruit. It is often said that the way to an Algerian guy’s heart is through (your) couscous!
Recipe for chicken stuffed with dried fruit and couscous
- 5 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- ¼ cup pine nuts or chopped almonds
- 1 cup mixed dried fruit (apricots, apples, pears, prunes, and raisins), soaked in water, drained, and chopped
- Salt to taste
- 3 ½ pounds chicken (about 1500 grams)
- Package of couscous
Directions
- Preheat oven to 325 °F. (165 ºC)
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a frying pan, and cook the onion in the oil until the onion is golden
- Stir in the nuts and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the fruits and salt.
- Let cool.
- Place chicken in pan, breast side up.
- Stuff the chicken with the fruit mixture and tie the legs together with twine.
- Place the casserole or roasting pan on the burner and brown the chicken in the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil. Place the chicken on its side.
- Cover and cook in the oven for 1½ hours, turning the chicken every 30 minutes. Leave chicken breast side up for the last 30 minutes.
- While the chicken is roasting, prepare the couscous according to instructions on the package. Serve chicken and couscous.
Adapted from Walden, Hilaire, North African Cooking. Edison, N.J.: Chartwell Books, 1995.
Are you an Algerian guy, or do you know one? Got anything interesting to say about the subject? Let us know!
