Morocco Celebrates Amazigh New Year with Nationwide Cultural Festivals

Across Morocco, vibrant celebrations are underway marking the Amazigh New Year 2975, known locally as "Idh Yennayer." The festivities showcase the nation's rich cultural heritage through an array of traditional performances, exhibitions, and artistic displays.

In Meknes, the Mohammed El Mnouni Cultural Center hosted a spectacular ceremony featuring traditional Amazigh performances. The Ahidous Imazighen Amzdouzan group captivated audiences with rhythmic chants from the Middle Atlas region, while the Rways troupe and Ahwash Najm Maamoura delivered compelling performances of Ahwash and Ahidous, two cornerstone art forms of Amazigh culture.

Casablanca joined the celebrations by launching a Moroccan craft village at Place Rachidi, running from January 11 to 14. The exhibition spotlights traditional artisans' craftsmanship through displays of handwoven carpets, intricate jewelry, and detailed pottery. According to Deputy Mayor Abdelatif Al-Nasiri, the event emphasizes Morocco's invaluable Amazigh heritage.

The economic capital's cultural program features performances by renowned Amazigh artists, including Ahwash Oud Tiznit and Ahwash Oud Imntouga dance groups. Notable singers Fatima Tihihit and the band Oudaden are scheduled for upcoming concerts. The festivities will culminate at Sbata Park with a traditional craft exhibition accompanied by Amazigh dances.

The Meknes celebrations also honored distinguished Amazigh artists Mohamed Aglal and Hassan Chaban for their contributions to preserving and promoting Amazigh culture. The event drew international attention, with ambassadors from Denmark, the UK, and the European Union in attendance.

The Amazigh New Year holds deep cultural significance as it marks the beginning of the agricultural season, symbolizing the profound connection between the Amazigh people and their ancestral lands. This annual celebration serves as a testament to Morocco's diverse cultural mosaic and the enduring agricultural traditions of its indigenous people.