Why are Berber letters considered talismans ?
In Amazigh (Berber) culture, the Tifinagh script and its individual letters are often considered talismans because they are believed to possess intrinsic spiritual power that can protect, heal, or influence the unseen world.
Here is why they hold this status:
Apotropaic Protection: Many Tifinagh letters and symbols are used specifically to ward off the "Evil Eye" (Ain). For example, certain characters are engraved on talismanic rings to protect the wearer from sickness and misfortune.
Symbolic Encoding: Individual characters often represent powerful concepts. The most famous is the Yaz (ⵣ), which represents the "free man" and symbolizes survival, resistance, and life force.
Connection to Ancestry: The Tifinagh script is an ancient link to the Imazighen ancestors. Using these letters in jewellery or textiles is seen as calling upon ancestral guidance and protection.