Senhaja Berber

A language of Morocco

ISO 639: sjs
Alternate Names: Senhaja de Srair, Senhajiya, Shilha, Shilha Barbarya, Shilha n Jbala, Tajeblit, Tamazight, Tamazight n Jbala, Tasenhajit
Population: 86,000 (2014 census). 6,000 Ayt Bshir, 7,000 Ayt Bunsar, 9,000 Ayt Hmed, 9,000 Ayt Khennus, 10,000 Ayt Mezduy, 17,000 Ayt Seddat, 17,000 Ketama, 5,000 Taghzut, 6,000 Zerqet.
Location:: Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate region: Ketama area west of Tarifit.
Language Status: 6b (Threatened).
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern, Zenati, Riff
Dialects: Ayt Hmed (Beni Ahmed), Ayt Bshir (Beni Bechir), Ayt Bunsar (Beni Buensar), Ayt Khennus (Beni Jennus), Ayt Mezduy (Beni Mesdui), Ayt Seddat (Beni Seddat), Ketama (Quetama), Zerqet (Sarcat), Taghzut (Tagsut). A separate language from Tarifit [rif].
Language Use: Some young people, all adults.
Language Development: Dictionary.
Other Comments: Shilha is Arabic for Moroccan Berber language varieties in general. Shilha n Jbala or Tamazight n Jbala are commonly used names which mean Berber of the Mountain People. An Arabic name for this is Senhajiya. Muslim.

Location: Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate region: Ketama area west of Tarifit.