As the rest of the world rings in the new year, the Amazigh people across North Africa have been coming together to usher in the year 2976. This is not a case of time travel, but rather a reflection of their unique calendar that dates back to 950 BC, when King Sheshonq ascended the throne of Egypt.
The Amazigh new year, known as Yennayer, is celebrated between the 12th and 14th of January, depending on the region. Over the past few days, families have been preparing lavish feasts, lighting bonfires, and playing traditional music to mark the occasion. Calls of “a segga ameggaz,” or “happy new year,” can be heard ringing through villages and bustling city streets, as people don their vibrant, meticulously embroidered traditional clothing.
The Amazigh, which means “free people” or “noble people,” are the original inhabitants of North Africa, having occupied the region since the beginning of recorded history. While the exact size of the population is unknown due to a lack of official statistics, it is estimated that there are tens of millions of Amazigh people living across North Africa, with the largest populations in Algeria and Morocco.
Yennayer is a celebration of family, renewal, and the deep connection the Amazigh people have traditionally had with nature. In addition to the family gatherings, the new year is also marked by parades, concerts, and carnivals that showcase the diverse Amazigh culture. Traditional Yennayer foods, such as the rich mixture of legumes, spices, and whole grains known as “ourkemen” in Morocco’s High Atlas region, or the sweet, dried fruit, and nut combination called “trèze” in Algeria, are enjoyed by families.
The Amazigh have a long history of being marginalized, as the 7th-century Arab conquests brought with them the Arabic language and the Islamic religion, which were officially adopted at the expense of Amazigh languages and culture. During the rule of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi in Libya, the Amazigh language Tamazight was even banned in schools, and parents were not allowed to give their children Amazigh names.
However, thanks to the tireless efforts of Amazigh activists, their culture and language have gained greater recognition over the past decade. In 2011, Morocco recognized Tamazight as an official language, and both Algeria and Morocco have declared Yennayer a public holiday, in 2017 and 2023, respectively. These developments mark not just a victory for the Amazigh people, but also a reminder of the centuries-long fight that has brought them to where they are today, in the year 2976.