In Morocco, Amazigh’s New Year is a struggle against exclusion

On 14 January, Morocco marked the second official celebration of the Amazigh New Year, Yennayer. But, the festivities were overshadowed by recent deadly floods in Amazigh villages and the persisting tragedy of 2023 earthquake.  

“Let’s begin with a minute of silence for our brothers and sisters in Tata and the Atlas”, said Adil Adaskou, an Amazigh activist, addressing the crowd in front of the Moroccan parliament in Tamazight.  

In 2024, or year 2974 in the Amazigh calendar, floods swept through southeastern Morocco, devastating Tata–a stunning oasis region that is still rural and underdeveloped– and killing at least 19 people.

Meanwhile, in the Atlas Mountains, villagers continue to endure brutal winters and cruel summers in makeshift camps, as state aid remains slow and insufficient. Activists who criticised the government’s response have faced court cases, with one jailed for three months.  

For Imazighen, Yennayer is not just a celebration but an assertion of resilience facing a state policy that has been nonchalant at best, and marginalising at worst.  

For over a decade, Imazighen have gathered every year in front of Morocco’s parliament–a symbol of their marginalisation.

Against the backdrop of political neglect, they drum, wave Amazigh flags, sing traditional songs, and share Tagoula, a hearty dish made of barley and butter, to say: “We’re still here.”  

“Yennayer is more than a spectacle. It’s a confrontation with the challenges threatening the survival of Amazigh identity in Morocco,” added Ahmed Ahermoch, an Amazigh activist.  

A celebration of land and identity

While historians may be divided regarding the celebration’s origins, they all agree that Yennayer is a celebration of the land, community and indignity.

For centuries, Yennayer has been a moment of cultural affirmation.

From the vibrant streets of Agadir to the tranquil villages of Tafraout, families prepare with Argan oil traditional dishes like orkimen, a stew of grains and vegetables, and idrnan (pancakes). Each meal symbolises a connection to the lands and their harvest.  

The recognition of Yennayer as a national holiday in 2023, decreed by King Mohammed VI, brought newfound “legitimacy” to what had long been a grassroots celebration. It wove Yennayer further into Morocco’s national narrative and introduced it to a younger, urban generation.  

“This is the first time I’m celebrating Yennayer,” Salma, a 22-year-old student in Rabat, told The New Arab. “We never celebrated it at home.”  

For many young Moroccans, the tradition feels new. For long, Amazigh traditions and celebrations were absent from schools and public institutions, making it harder for new generations to learn about their ancestors.

“I’m ashamed I don’t speak Tamazight. In my defence, we weren’t taught it in school,” another student, dressed in traditional Amazigh attire, added to TNA.

Less than 19 percent of the people in Morocco speak Tamazight fluently, according to the 2024 general population and housing census (RGPH). 

Morocco’s national census does not collect data on ethnic demographics, including the number of Imazighen people. However, Amazigh associations claim that 85 percent of Moroccans are Imazighen.

Despite the official recognition of Tamazight as a state language in 2011, its integration into public life has been slow. Schools lack resources to teach it, government institutions struggle to use it, and policies often fail to protect ancestral Amazigh lands.  

A battle for recognition of Amazigh identity

Activists worry that the Amazigh identity continues to be systemically marginalised.

The Loyalty Group for the Imazighen, criticised political parties for treating Amazigh culture as “folkloric window dressing.”  

“They showcase our traditions at festivals but ignore deeper issues–economic inequality, environmental degradation, and [lack of] political representation,” Abdallah Bouchtat, a member of the group, told TNA.

Activists argue that without meaningful action, the recognition of Yennayer and Tamazight risks being purely “artificial”.

They are calling for a national dialogue to evaluate progress and push for greater representation in legislative and decision-making bodies.  

While several Amazigh figures, including Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, have held leadership positions, Morocco still lacks an Amazigh political party.  

“Our identity can’t just exist in performances. It must live in schools, policies, and the daily lives of Imazighen people,” added the local group.