Jewellery of the Berber cultures

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/jewellery-of-the-berber-cultures

Step 2 · Questions

1. From the article, write the primary material composition:
2. What is Berber jewelry and why is it special?
3. Why do Berber women wear silver jewelry?

Step 3 · Words to know

Write what each word means, using the article.

Amazigh
Maghreb
Cultural Transmission
Hamsa/Khmissa

Step 4 · Two facts in your own words

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Cite your source

Jewellery of the Berber cultures. Small Whale. https://smallwhale.org/articles/jewellery-of-the-berber-cultures. Accessed 2026-09-23. Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Answer key (teacher copy)

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. From the article, write the primary material composition:Predominantly crafted from silver, with regional variations and historical shifts towards gold
2. What is Berber jewelry and why is it special?Berber jewelry is silver and other metal pieces made by Berber people, especially women. It shows their identity and tells stories of their culture.
3. Why do Berber women wear silver jewelry?They wear it to keep their clothes together and to share family stories. The jewelry also helps them feel part of their community.

Amazigh: The self-designation for the indigenous Berber peoples of North Africa, meaning 'free people'.
Maghreb: A subregion of North Africa comprising Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, and Tunisia.
Cultural Transmission: The process by which cultural elements, such as traditions and knowledge, are passed from one generation to the next.
Hamsa/Khmissa: A palm-shaped amulet popular throughout the Middle East and North Africa, often worn for good luck and protection.