When is the Amazigh New Year (Yennayer) celebrated?

Yennayer is celebrated between January 12 and 14 each year.

Why is the Amazigh calendar almost 1000 years ahead?

The Amazigh calendar starts in 950 BC with the ascension of King Sheshonq in Egypt.

What are common Yennayer traditions in Algeria and Morocco?

Traditions include family feasts, bonfires, music, and specific celebratory foods like 'ourkemen' and 'trèze'.

Home / Lifestyle / Amazigh Celebrate New Year 2976, Ahead by a Millennium

Amazigh Celebrate New Year 2976, Ahead by a Millennium

14 Jan

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Summary

Amazigh people celebrate Yennayer, their new year, starting in 950 BC.
Celebrations include feasts, bonfires, music, and vibrant traditional clothing.
Yennayer's recognition as a public holiday signifies cultural resurgence.

Amazigh Celebrate New Year 2976, Ahead by a Millennium

North Africa's Amazigh people are heralding the year 2976 with vibrant celebrations for Yennayer, their ancient New Year. Their calendar commences in 950 BC, placing them nearly a thousand years ahead of the Gregorian system. Celebrations, occurring between January 12 and 14, feature elaborate feasts, bonfires, traditional music, and colorful attire. The Amazigh, meaning 'free people,' are the region's indigenous inhabitants with a population estimated in the tens of millions.

Yennayer festivities highlight family bonds, renewal, and a deep-rooted connection to nature. Culinary traditions vary across regions, with dishes like Moroccan 'ourkemen' and Algerian 'trèze' symbolizing prosperity. These celebrations extend beyond homes, with parades and concerts bringing the new year's spirit to public spaces. Such cultural displays are crucial given the Amazigh community's long history of facing marginalization and the suppression of their language and customs.