The overthrow of Moammar Gadhafi has had a messy and often confused aftermath, as rival groups jostle for a stake in the new Libya after four decades of dictatorship. But while the realities of Libya's new order remain murky, for the country's Berber minority, the task ahead is clear. The removal of the old regime has cleared the way for a renaissance of their ancient language and culture that were brutally suppressed under Gadhafi's hardline rule. Known in their native tongue as Amazigh, or "free man," the Berbers are the indigenous inhabitants of North Africa, whose culture  predominated in the region prior to the 7th century Arab invasion.
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Libya's indigenous Berber population had their culture suppressed under Gadhafi
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Also known as Amazigh, they could not even give their children Berber names
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Amazigh culture is blossoming in post-Gadhafi Libya
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But activists fear that their culture and language will not be protected in the new Libya
Berbers were unable to publicly speak or publish books in their language, Tamazight, or display symbols such as the @placeholder flag.
Some political leaders were still inclined to emulate Gaddafi by casting suspicion on the @placeholder community for personal gain.