The People

Most Libyans are of a mixed ancestry including that of native Berbers and Arab invaders. Libyans of the far south have some Negro ancestry. In eastern Libya there are many Bedouins, nomadic people who live in the desert. Because the Arabs' language, Muslim faith, and culture were adopted by the subject peoples, it became customary for Libyans to consider themselves Arabs.

There are some small isolated settlements where Berbers predominate. Among the desert Berbers in the Fezzan region are the Tuareg, who have the only written Berber dialect.

In rural Libyan society, tribalism is often the basis of social and political allegiances, particularly among the Bedouins.

At the close of World War II, there were substantial Italian and Jewish minorities. By the early 1970's, however, most of the Jews and Italians had either voluntarily emigrated or been expelled.

Heavy urban migration began in the 1960's, and by 1981 more than half the population was urban. The largest cities are Tripoli, the capital, and Benghazi.

Arabic is the official language. Berber dialects prevail among the Berbers, who usually know Arabic as well. In the cities, Italian and English are spoken as second languages by many Arabs in commerce and government.

Libya's first public schools were created by Italy after its conquest of Libya in 1912. Although the schools were for Libyans as well as Italians, the language of instruction was Italian, and most Libyan children who attended school went to Koranic schools operated by mosques. After independence in 1951, Arabic was made the language of instruction and the public educational system was rapidly expanded.

Primary education begins at age six and lasts for six years. Beginning in fifth grade English is taught. Primary school is followed by three years of preparatory education, and then three years of secondary education. About 40 per cent of the people are literate.

Libya's principal institutions of higher learning are Alfateh University in Tripoli and the University of Ghar Yunis in Benghazi. Arabic and English are the languages of instruction. Because of a shortage of Libyan college graduates, Egyptians are used as teachers at all levels of schooling.

Approximately 95 per cent of Libyans are Muslims of the Sunni branch of the faith. Islam in Libya has been profoundly shaped by the Sanussi Order, a religious reform organization that seeks a return to the austere practices of the early days of Islam. Sanussi lodges, scattered throughout the country, are influential in maintaining among the people a strict adherence to Muslim customs.

Because it long lacked an adequate educational system, Libya developed little literature under colonial rule. Indigenous literature, showing an Egyptian influence, began to appear in the 1960's. Art is expressed through traditional mediums, such as the mosaics and elaborate stucco work on public and private buildings. Extensive handicrafts also help to preserve the country's artistic traditions. Libyan artists largely conform to the Islamic injunction against representation of humans and animals. Music remains traditional and is related generally to folklore and folk dances.

Libya is trying to preserve its heritage and strongly promotes exploration and preservation of its archeological sites. There are archeological museums in Tripoli and at the ancient ruins of Sabratha and Leptis Magna.

In the cities, soccer is the principal sport. Basketball, boxing, and track and field also have many fans. In the rural areas, horse racing and various displays of horsemanship called fantasias are popular.