Bayda, Libya - Demographics

Demographics

As with other cities in Libya, there is a reasonable amount of ethnic diversity in Bayda. The people of eastern Libya, Bayda included, have in recent centuries been of predominantly Arab descent. However, the earliest inhabitants were Berber peoples, and from the 7th century BCE until the 7th century CE, the main ethnic group was Greek. In recent times, there has been an influx of African immigrants into Bayda. The city also hosts many Egyptian immigrants. A small Greek community is also present. The Greek island of Crete is a short distance from Bayda, and many modern families in the city bear Cretan surnames.

The majority of Libyans in Bayda are of Arab descent. In the 11th century, the Sa'ada tribe from the Bani Salim migrated to Cyrenaica; each clan of the Sa'adi historically controlled a section of Libya. Bayda and its surrounding areas were controlled by the Awaqir and Barghathi clans, as well as immigrants from Misrata. In modern times, a large quantity of Libyans from different parts of the country have moved into the city.