chawiya الشاوية
Algerian Darja · noun
“chawiya” (الشاوية) is a noun in Algerian Darja meaning the Chaouis, Berber speakers of the Aurès.
Meanings
- the Chaouis, Berber speakers of the Aurès
- the Chaoui language (tachawit)
Usage
Echawiya collectively means the Chaouis, an Amazigh people of eastern Algeria, especially the Aurès region (Batna, Khenchela, Oum El Bouaghi). The singular is chawi, feminine chawiya. The same word is also used for the language, which is also called tachawit. It is commonly used to state someone's origin: "houwa men echawiya" (he is Chaoui). The tone is neutral or affectionate, often with a note of regional pride. Do not confuse this word with the name of the Moroccan region of Chaouia. In English, "the Chaouis" is written with a capital letter.
Example
جدي من الشاوية، من باتنة
jeddi men echawiya, men Batna
“My grandfather is Chaoui, from Batna.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “chawiya” but also “chaouia”, “chaouiya”, “echawiya” and “chawia”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.