Author(s)

B. Belmessaoud-Boukhalfa

Abstract

Values as humility, democracy, solidarity, equity or individual freedom are common in traditional societies, the difference lies in the prevalence of a value over another, on one hand and by the appreciation related to the object in question on the other hand, which depended on the organization of the considered society and its convictions. Thus, any culture, any society has in connection with these concepts a clear and structured vision as much by its history as by its convictions. It has a clear and structured vision according to its history as its relations with the other and its own values. Today, ambiguity and blur characterize our vision of values because reality is alienated and reduced to its mere material dimension. The moral dimension of human life, including contemporary perplexities which rise from research to apply ethical principles, in situations without precedent, presents challenges for societies in their search of good decisions and right procedures. Ambiguity between traditional values and modern values leaves society confused. The example of individual freedom seems to be the most discussed value, in particular concerning the feminine subject. This article introduces the issue with the analysis of the feminine duty of water into the Kabyle village. It sheds light on the disappearance of the public place devoted to women that emerged with modernity. In the first part, it gives an outline of the organization of the Kabyle traditional society and its village. In the second part, it exposes the significance of the source of water and the issue of the polemic considering it as drudgery, relating to the feminine condition or as a social link suitable to be preserved. In conclusion, the article questions the fate of this source in contemporary Kabyle society. Keywords: source of water, Thala, Kabyle Village, Kabylia, Kabyle woman, feminine duty of water, traditional society, significance of the source of water.

Keywords

source of water, Thala, Kabyle Village, Kabylia, Kabyle woman, feminine duty of water, traditional society, significance of the source of water