Siwa possesses a unique cultural heritage rich in indigenous traditions and customs. Descendents of the Berbers, many Siwan families have distant relatives in the Libyan part of the Desert. Siwans are distinct in their traditions, dress, tools, and language. While Siwans are able to speak Arabic, they also have maintained their own language in its spoken form. Most Siwan families speak Siwi in their homes and when communicating with each other. Siwi is a dialect closely related to dialects spoken in other Amazigh (Berber culture) communities in Libya, Algeria and Morocco.