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For decades, Morocco’s indigenous Amazigh communities celebrated their new year, observed on January 13, unofficially among family and friends.
The celebrations kept centuries-old traditions alive, from wearing traditional attire when among friends and family, to cooking Amazigh recipes passed down by generations, such as the corn dish tagulla, whose hidden date stone is believed to bring prosperity for whoever finds it, and putting on traditional songs and plays.
But this year’s Idh Yanayer, as the event is locally known, enjoys a much-awaited shift.
In May last year, Moroccan King Mohammed VI declared the event to be a national paid holiday, in a move seen as recognising and embracing the heritage of North Africa’s largest Amazigh community.
“This decision should have been made long ago, because it is a matter of great importance to Amazighs. The new year does not just reinforce our identity and our cultural connection to Morocco, but it is also an indivisible part of our celebrations, just like celebrating the Gregorian and Hijri new years,” she said.
The move has given this year’s celebrations a boost of pride and joy, with a sense of victory for the Amazigh community.
“It’s not just the Amazighs celebrating. Public institutions will also participate in the festivities across the country and share this beautiful occasion with the people,” said Abdellah Elmannani, Moroccan filmography writer, researcher and Amazigh scholar.
In stark contrast to previous years, the celebrations expanded beyond private family gatherings to public gardens, halls, and streets.
Various events are taking place in a week-long celebration from January 8 to January 14 in major cities from Agadir, to Casablanca and Marrakesh, including film screenings, lectures, music performances, and culinary and cultural activities that celebrate Amazigh heritage.