Ilougane: is a small village located in the outskirts of Béjaïa and its neighbouring Bordj Bou Arréridj in Algeria. The name is believed to originate from the Berber word of Thalougueeth which refers to a plant that is widely present in the region
The people of this village are thought to be of Berber descent. An interesting characteristic of the people of this village is that they are the only group in the whole region of Bejaia who speak Algerian Arabic instead of Amazigh unlike surrounding villages even adjacent to it such as Tazla or Qualaa. This is thought to be the result of the fact that this village is unique in the region of Kabylie with its highly educated and Arabised Muslim shaikhs such as Sheikh Almahfoudh Nait Seghir. As they were highly influenced by islamic culture when Islam was introduced to North Africa, they adopted Arabic as the main language of the village second to the Amazigh language in respect to the Islamic Prophet Mohamed. The village is currently deserted as its most inhabitants left for better living conditions in neighbouring cities in late seventies mostly to Bordj Bou Arreridj and the reminder were forced to flee during the years of so called terrorism in Algeria in late eighties to early nighties.
The main families in the village are in no particular order: The Malek's, The Khellaf's, The Naight Seghir's, Ben Abderrahmane's and The Belaabass's. The first man thought to have first settled in the Village is Sidi Ahmad Sassi. The descendants of these families are currently highly educated individuals including teachers, university Lecturers, engineers and doctors, some of which have immigrated to the UK and France to pursue further education. In March 2011 Mr Ismail Khellaf created a facebook group called Ilougane of which members are all of Lougani origine, in honour of their descent.
