The Mountain: A Subject of Study in the Human and Social Sciences

Research Division Cities and Territories

Study Day

At the Center of Research in Social and Cultural Anthropology, Oran

On February 19, 2025

Mountainous regions are characterized by diverse ecosystems, which have made them areas with varied natural features. These features have granted mountainous regions identities with multiple dimensions economic and social (Rieutort, L. 2004) which have increasingly become the subject of interest for both politicians and researchers. Due to the unique social and economic characteristics they hold, sometimes even exceptional ones, these regions stand out because of the distinctive relationships between the mountainous environments and their local communities. These communities form a network of multifaceted relationships that reflect the past and present ways of life of local populations, as well as their methods of connection and adaptation to the various natural components of the mountain regions.

The significance of these relationships is evident through the various systems employed to exploit and connect with these mountains, including economic, architectural, and social systems, with their various cultural activities derived from long-standing interactions with the living conditions. These have shaped a complete way of life, closely linked to the mountain and marking a separation from other geographical formations (Debarbieux, B. 2001).

Algeria is one of the countries where the mountain symbolizes both resilience and resistance, as well as identity and self-affirmation. It is also a source of both safety and fear. Algeria contains mountainous regions that are both populated and rich in culture, yet they also experience certain forms of suffering and marginalization (Khafash, N. Tarek, 2022).

Mountains embody cultural diversity and are a source of culture (Mark Cot, 2011) in terms of urban development, lifestyles, customs, and traditions. They are also an economic resource, both in tourism and agriculture, and a historical pathway.

This study day is a step by the Center of Research in Social and Cultural Anthropology and the Department of Cities and territories to bring attention back to this very important topic. Despite its significance, it remains underrepresented in studies that focus on it as a subject in itself, despite the changes and roles that these regions are experiencing within the development taking place in Algeria.

Mountainous regions, with their unique characteristics, raise many discussions regarding various issues in the social and human sciences. Therefore, we aim to highlight the importance of mountainous areas as living spaces and sources of livelihood, which have developed mechanisms for coexistence and adaptation to these unique natural environments. We will discuss the living conditions of the populations in local development areas, as well as mountain villages and cities, in terms of their planning and urban development. We will also examine the cultural aspects produced by communities in mountain regions, including nomenclature and both tangible and intangible heritage.

Scientific Objectives:

This study day aims to revive the debate on mountains as a subject within the social sciences, in preparation for a new issue of the journal Insaniyat or a collective work on mountains as a theme in human and social studies. This will be done by taking into account the changes that have occurred in these mountainous regions of Algeria. Additionally, it seeks to encourage researchers and academics to engage in topics related to mountainous areas and to strengthen the division with specialists in this field, given that this subject is linked to rural studies, which is one of the focal points of the "Cities and Territories" division.

Scientific Committee :

• Hamza Bachiri, Directeur de recherche, CRASC
• Salah Zeraib, Professeur à la faculté des sciences de la terre et de l’univers, Université de Batna 2
• Yahiaoui Habibi, Professeur Professeur à la faculté des sciences de la terre et de l’univers, Université de Batna 2

Organising Committee :

• Lamia Tenci, CRASC
• Sid Ahmed Djoudi, CRASC
• Sihem Khentache, CRASC
• Abdelouahab Boureguig, CRASC
• Amel Ait Ali Said, CRASC
• Amine Youcef Sebaa, CRASC