Yennayer, The Amazigh New Year: The Beginning of the Agricultural Season
Every 13th of January, the Amazigh people celebrate their New Year, marking 2975 according to the Amazigh calendar in 2025 AD. Known as Yennayer, this celebration coincides with the start of the agricultural year where each region has unique traditions and rituals to welcome the new year.
My name is Zainab Ainouni, a Moroccan of Amazigh descent. I was often consumed by questions about identity as I grew up: how our shared history, shaped by centuries of resistance and transformation, continues to define us today. The legacy of colonialism, like a shadow cast over our national identity, influences countless aspects of our modern lives, both visible and hidden. This awareness led me to critically examine the roots of oppression in various fields across Morocco, from the judicial system that governs our rights to the narratives woven by the media and even the subtle dynamics of our relationships. My journey is one of constant questioning, seeking to understand and reclaim the stories that shape who we are.
Picture of Moroccans celebrating “Yennayer” in front of the Moroccan parliament building, Rabat 2023 (Madar, 2023)
Understanding Identity and Legacy
The Amazigh, the Indigenous peoples of North Africa, have historically resisted assimilation efforts by colonial powers (France, Spain, Italy), and post-independence nation-states that sought to suppress their language and culture. They are spread across Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Siwa in Egypt, Mauritania, Chad, Niger, and the Canary Islands (Britannica, 2025). In Tamazight, the word "Amazigh" means "the free" or "the noble,". They refer to North Africa as Tamazgha.
This year, many young Amazigh people celebrated Yennayer with immense pride and joy, demonstrating that North Africa’s Gen Z is more connected than ever to their ancestral roots. On platforms like TikTok, many users shared the diverse traditions of various Amazigh tribes across Tamazgha. For example, many families prepare a traditional dish called Ourkimen in the High Atlas villages in Morocco. This hearty meal is made from a mix of legumes including lentils, broad beans, chickpeas, split peas, and white beans, all soaked in water before cooking. The dish comes from the Amazigh word "irkm," which refers to this soaking process.
This vegan meal is quite culturally significant – it is a tribute to the earth’s harvest, a reminder of humanity’s dependence on nature, and a way to maintain a spiritual connection with the environment. It also serves as a reminder to limit the harm we cause to animals and recognize that we share this environment with them. Embracing this perspective is a meaningful way to cultivate kindness and compassion in the year ahead.
Yennayer is also a celebration of Tamghart (woman in Tamazight), acknowledging the vital role women, girls, and gender-diverse people play in Amazigh culture. On this occasion, many Amazigh women dress in traditional garments gifted by their families and celebrate their cultural heritage. This showcases the profound respect and appreciation the Amazigh community has for women, who are viewed as the foundation of their society.
“Yennayer is also a celebration of Tamghart (woman in Tamazight), acknowledging the vital role women, girls, and gender-diverse people play in Amazigh culture.”
What are the different struggles that Amazigh people have faced?
The Amazigh people have endured many struggles. For instance, in the 1960s, many North Africans immigrated to Europe due to a lack of opportunities in their home countries as well as increasing political repression by their regimes. European governments like France, Italy, and the Netherlands took advantage of the socio-economic challenges in North Africa and recruited workers to help rebuild the economy of Europe after the devastation of World War II. (Boubaker, 2021). However, these governments had no intention of integrating these immigrants as European citizens. Instead, they housed them and their families in isolated neighborhoods far from central communities, denying them entertainment, security, and basic infrastructure–a system often described as "social apartheid”.
European governments can also be seen as imposing an "independence debt" through the exploitation of North African workers. These governments, which once colonized North Africa, sought to punish those who fought for their freedom and demanded self-determination. They aimed to ensure no stable, democratic state could emerge in the region. This was achieved through various means, such as installing dictators, fueling political conflicts, and even supporting terrorism or funding militias to promote tribalism and sow division among communities. These actions often led to devastating consequences, such as civil wars. A tragic example is the Algerian Civil War during the 1990s, known as the Black Decade, which resulted from such destabilizing tactics (DeRouen, 2007).
Following the end of European colonial rule and post-independence, many North African governments adopted policies rooted in Arab Marxist nationalism. In practice, this mirrored European colonialism by centralizing power and suppressing fundamental freedoms. However, these policies additionally included banning the Amazigh language in schools, prohibiting Amazigh names, suppressing activists, and, in some cases, imprisoning or even executing them. Many Amazigh communities also endured forced displacement, ethnic cleansing, and the confiscation of their lands under the pretext of lacking legal documentation. These lands were often handed over to corrupt elites for tourism projects or other exploitative ventures. These Indigenous populations have a long history of sustainable agriculture and land management. As such, their displacement has contributed to environmental degradation, deforestation, and the loss of biodiversity, which has exacerbated climate vulnerabilities in many North African countries.
The rise of Amazigh activism
These experiences shaped the Amazigh cause and inspired many activists to speak out against human rights violations and political repression in their native countries, as well as the racism they faced in their host countries. One of the most important achievements of the Amazigh movement was the founding of the Académie Berbère de Paris (Berber Academy of Paris) in France during the late 1960s. It was sadly dissolved in 1978 (Le Matin d'Algérie, 2023). It’s worth noting that the term "Berber" is sometimes used to refer to the Amazigh people. Many in the community reject this label due to its origins in the word "Barbary," which carries colonial connotations.
“A central aim of the Amazigh movement has been to reclaim their narrative and ensure that their story is told by themselves, not others. This is exemplified by the creation of the Amazigh flag, which is rich in symbolism. ”
Overall, the Academy's goal was to raise awareness about Amazigh heritage in North Africa and the diaspora. A central aim of the Amazigh movement has been to reclaim their narrative and ensure that their story is told by themselves, not others. This is exemplified by the creation of the Amazigh flag, which is rich in symbolism. The flag consists of three horizontal stripes of equal width and a red Tifinagh letter ⵣ (Yaz) in the center. Each element has a specific meaning:
The Blue Stripe (Top) represents the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, which border the Amazigh homeland.
Yellow Stripe (Middle): Symbolizes the vast Sahara Desert, a significant part of Amazigh territory.
Green Stripe (Bottom): Stands for the mountains and fertile lands of North Africa, where many Amazigh communities reside.
Red Tifinagh Letter ⵣ (Yaz): This letter, pronounced "Yaz," symbolizes the Amazigh people and their ancient Tifinagh (alphabet) script. Red represents life, resistance, and the ongoing struggle for cultural recognition.
The Amazigh flag was adopted in 1998 as the official flag of the Amazigh people. (Tamurt, 2019)
Environmental Challenges and the Amazigh Connection to the Land
Yennayer is not just about singing folkloric songs and enjoying traditional meals, it is also a time to reflect on the land and the Amazigh people’s connection to it. North Africa is one of the regions most affected by climate change, yet it is often overlooked in global climate discussions. Droughts, desertification, and environmental degradation threaten food security and social stability, adding to the challenges faced by Amazigh communities.
Mismanagement of natural resources is among the social and economic issues plaguing the Amazigh lands. Corrupt political elites often prioritize personal gain over the well-being of their people, exploiting the region’s wealth for their benefit. For example, many survivors of natural disasters, such as the 2023 Al Haouz earthquake in Morocco, are still waiting for the compensation promised by their governments (Hespress, 2024).
Environmental pollution and a lack of accountability in the industrial sector further intensify these challenges. Libya and Algeria are among the top ten countries in gas and oil flaring, yet their governments fail to enforce strong environmental regulations (World Bank, 2022). This lack of oversight leads to severe soil degradation and contributes to air pollution. In addition, Tunisia and Morocco face environmental crises including overfishing, plastic waste accumulation, and the harmful practice of burning garbage, which degrade air quality and threaten ecosystems. These issues greatly affect the daily lives of millions, putting them at risk of health illnesses, water scarcity, and loss of agricultural productivity. Many people have no choice but to leave their villages for big cities or even migrate to Europe in search of better opportunities, as their livelihoods depend on agriculture and natural resources.
Climate change also contributes to the oppression of women's rights. North Africa has a patriarchal structure, where men are expected to be the primary providers. In times of social and economic instability, these norms become even more reinforced, further exacerbating inequality. In turn, this increases gender-based violence with reports showing that over 60% of women have experienced some form of violence only in Morocco (Afrobarometer, 2023). Economic distress and displacement increase women's vulnerability, as they are often forced to take on unpaid domestic labor or marry early as a survival strategy. Many adolescents are expected to take on household responsibilities and are forced to leave school. They are also subjected to child labor, exposing them to diseases and workplace accidents that could affect their health for the rest of their lives.
“African women face multiple layers of oppression, making their struggle for environmental equity even more challenging. Despite being on the frontlines of climate change, whether as farmers, activists, or caretakers of their communities, embracing their indigenous wisdom, they remain largely excluded from international climate discussions.”
Another critical issue is that climate change threatens the access to clean water. Due to the lack of clean water, many struggle with food scarcity and maintaining proper hygiene. Girls in North Africa, in particular, suffer from period poverty due to limited access to clean water and proper sanitation facilities. In Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco, up to 30% of girls miss school during their menstrual cycles due to inadequate hygiene infrastructure (UNICEF, 2023). This not only disrupts their education but also reinforces the cycle of gender inequality by limiting their opportunities for future economic independence.
Overall, this highlights the intersection between gender, race, and class in the fight for climate justice. North African women face multiple layers of oppression, making their struggle for environmental equity even more challenging. Despite being on the frontlines of climate change, whether as farmers, activists, or caretakers of their communities, embracing their indigenous wisdom, they remain largely excluded from international climate discussions. Their absence from these conversations is not accidental; it reflects the colonial structures rooted within global institutions, where decision-making power remains concentrated in the hands of the Global Majority. This exclusion not only silences their voices but also undermines the Indigenous Knowledge Systems and resilience they bring to the table.
A Vision for Justice and Hope
Despite these challenges, the Amazigh people remain resilient. Today, the younger generation is acutely aware of the struggles their parents and ancestors endured. They take pride in their heritage and are determined to defend their identity and fight for their people’s rights. The vibrant Yennayer celebrations across Tamazgha are a testament to the failure of colonial and post-colonial attempts to erase Amazigh culture. They also signal the rise of a new generation, one intensely connected to its roots, aware of its potential, and ready to heal past wounds.
They dream of a united Greater Maghreb, where Amazigh identity is celebrated, and where the mistakes of previous generations are rectified. They are aware of how climate change impacts communities, especially in rural areas, where the intersection of environmental issues and colonial legacies adds to existing inequalities. The Amazigh people's resilience in the face of historical oppression mirrors the resilience needed to address climate change. In addition, civil society needs to advocate for policies that uplift marginalized communities and address environmental injustices, enabling decision-makers to create a future where the struggles of the Amazigh people, and others like them, are acknowledged, and their rights to a sustainable future are secured.
References
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Hespress. (2025). Al-Haouz earthquake victims call for an investigation into aid distribution. Retrieved from https://www.hespress.com/ضحايا-زلزال-الحوز-يدعون-إلى-التحقيق-ف-1482621.html
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