Of all the traditional dates for Yennayer, Morocco has chosen the one furthest from Independence Day, which falls on 11 January.
Morocco is an Amazigh country, well beyond the language
Morocco is the quintessence of a Berber country, an Amazigh country. But “Berberitude” extends beyond the borders, to the south with the Tuaregs, to the east with the Kabyles and to the borders of Egypt.
The Berber culture, full of traditions, is one of the keys to understanding Morocco. Between the Berbers of the north and the Berbers of the south, the proximity is greater than with other Moroccans, and to recognise oneself as Berber is to belong to an ancient people who are one of the constituents of modern Morocco.
The true story of the creation of the Amazigh calendar in 1980, the reasons for the symbols chosen and its rapid evolution.
A number of different calendars, used together or in different places, an important festival found in many places, a look at what we know about Yennayer.
Yennayer, ⵢⴻⵏⵏⴻⵢⴻⵔ, the Amazigh New Year, an agricultural festival in line with the Julian calendar, everywhere in Tamaghza (Berberia)? A lot of questions with not-so-simple answers.
Yennayer, the Berber New Year, is celebrated in Morocco on 13 January and is now a public holiday.
In Berber culture, tattoos have long held an important place as a sign of belonging and protection. It is gradually disappearing in favour of henna decorations. It is a pleasure to find it in a fantasy production.
Thousands of kilometres away, the lifestyle of the mountain Berbers is reminiscent of that of the Afghans. Including their attachment to their traditions
A selection of emblematic Berber jewellery from the catalogue of an auction at Drouot. "Amber" and silver, coral and pearls are in the limelight.
The Berbers have their own calendar, with the New Year falling on 13 January. Discover the Yennayer traditions celebrated in Morocco!
Rain is a sign of good luck, water and showers are always welcome, except when they turn into torrents and floods.
Berber rugs are renowned for their geometric and abstract designs and their beautiful colours. They are not only decorative, they can also be used as blankets, coats...
Although the Tuaregs are Berbers, they have not settled everywhere in "Berber country", and certainly not in Morocco, where the Berber tribes have no links with the Tuaregs.
The place of women in Berber society, a status full of ambiguity, between independence and submission. The real issues are economic and educational.
Berber dance has nothing to do with Oriental dance, even if certain hip movements are reminiscent of belly dancing.
In Morocco, Amazigh culture is alive and well, and not confined to museums. Practised on a daily basis, it is being modernised both technically and in its expressions, which improves its potential for survival.
