Cultural references in Algeria

Algerian society is governed by codes (legal, religious, cultural, etc.) and these are the product of references that legitimize their imposition or adoption. In the field of culture, we are interested in plastic arts, and traditional musical arts (El Andaloussi). Also, our field of investigation focuses on religious practices and beliefs, whether those related to Sufism or related to Orthodoxy. Our objective is to identify these references through the following indicators: the names of personalities, places of centrality, titles of texts (books, songs, cinema films), dates, and iconography. The referencing system goes through a process of consecration, notoriety, recognition, and legitimization. It is a complex process where local, regional, national, and, international must be taken into consideration. Also, legitimization at two levels: from below (the population) and from above (state institutions), and where academic research intervenes which sheds light on forgotten or marginalized references either from above or below and by both at the same time. Scientific research considers above all that references are a constructed research object and they are subject to critical scrutiny. Thus, the research does not impose any reference, on the contrary, it introduces them into the public space and into the general debate so that they are the subject of consensus.