Amazigh New Year, also known as Yennayer, in Morocco marks the start of the Amazigh calendar year, honoring North Africa's ancient heritage with traditional foods, music, and festivities symbolizing renewal and cultural pride.

When is Amazigh New Year?

Amazigh New Year in Morocco is observed on January 14 every year.

The following is the list of Amazigh New Year from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Amazigh New Year?

The Amazigh New Year, known as Yennayer, has been celebrated for nearly 3,000 years, long before the Arab and Islamic influences in North Africa. It marks the beginning of the Amazigh agricultural year and the renewal of the earth, symbolizing hope, abundance, and harmony with nature.

The Amazigh calendar begins in 950 BCE, the year when the Amazigh King Shoshenq I ascended the throne of Egypt and founded the 22nd Pharaonic Dynasty. This event was so significant that it became the starting point of the Amazigh calendar, making Yennayer not only an agricultural festival but also a historical and cultural milestone.

In Morocco, Yennayer has been kept alive for centuries, especially in Amazigh (Berber) communities across the Atlas Mountains, Sous region, and southern provinces. Traditionally, it marks the start of the planting season, and families celebrate it as a festival of renewal and prosperity.

For much of modern history, Yennayer was celebrated informally by Amazigh communities, often without official acknowledgment. With the rise of Amazigh cultural movements in the late 20th century, there were increasing calls for Yennayer to be recognized nationally.

In 2023, the Moroccan government officially declared Yennayer a national public holiday, recognizing it as a cornerstone of the country's cultural diversity. This decision followed decades of advocacy by Amazigh cultural organizations and was seen as a major step toward cultural inclusion and national unity.

Morocco thus joined Algeria (which had recognized it in 2018) in officially honoring the Amazigh New Year.