Three ethnic groups of Morocco include Arab-Berbers, Berbers, and Arabs. Additional groups of people that live in Morocco include Jews, French, Spanish, Italian, and Algerian.
There are two dominant groups in Morocco: Arabs and Amazigh (often called Berbers). The Amazigh make up roughly 60% of the population and live primarily in rural areas along the Atlas Mountains. The Arabs make up rougly 40% and live in the major cities along the coast. The Arabs have historically held power in Morocco for centuries (excepting the colonial period from 1912-1956, when France and Spain held power).
Berbers and Arabs both have a shared history in North Africa and have influenced each other culturally and linguistically. However, Berbers are indigenous to North Africa while Arabs migrated to the region from the Arabian Peninsula. Berbers have their own distinct culture and language, while Arabs predominantly speak Arabic.
The main ethnic groups in Algeria are the Berbers, Romans, Byzantines, Phoenicians, Turks, Arabs, and Sub-Saharan Africans. Berbers are the original inhabitants of Algeria.
The Amazigh people, often improperly called "Berbers" or "Moors" were the indigenous North African population who were conquered by the Arab Muslim armies and converted to Islam.
When the Arabs conquered Morocco during the Rise of Islam, they originally made a distinction between themselves and the indigenous Amazigh (Berber) Tribes. When Morocco became independent of the Ummayad Caliphate in the 700s, Arabs began to intermarry with Amazigh relatively freely. Most Moroccans are now a mix, genetically, of Arabs and Amazigh. However, most Arabs use the Arabic Language as a way of deciding who is an Arab more than they use genetics. Most Moroccans who speak Arabic or Derija-Maghribiya (the Moroccan dialect of Arabic) both consider themselves and are considered as Arabs. Moroccans for whom their primary language is an Amazigh language (such as Tarifit, Tamazighit, or Tashlichit, among others), consider themselves Amazigh. Foreigners typically do not note a physical difference between Amazigh-identifying and Arab-identifying Moroccans.
Some Berbers resisted the Arab conquest, while others collaborated with the Arab rulers. Over time, many converted to Islam and integrated into Arab society, while others maintained their distinct Berber identity and cultural practices.
Berbers
The conflict between Berbers and Arabs in North Africa dates back to the Arab conquest of the region in the 7th century. It is rooted in tensions over cultural, linguistic, and political differences. Berbers have historically sought to preserve their distinct identity and autonomy, while Arabs have sought to assert control and influence over the region.
They are Caucasians (whites), the majority of them are Arabs and Berbers, who are whites or Caucasians
Arab armies conquered Egypt in 640 C.E. and finally reached and conquered Morocco and 680 C.E. All of Northern Africa was added to the Islamic Caliphates in the interim 40 years.
Berbers