'Welcome to 2976' - North Africa's Amazigh people ring in the new year

BBC News - WorldCenterEN 3 min read 100% complete January 14, 2026 at 01:37 AM

AI Summary

medium article 3 min

The Amazigh people of North Africa are celebrating Yennayer, their new year, marking the year 2976. Their calendar begins in 950 BC with the ascension of King Sheshonq. Celebrations, occurring between January 12th and 14th depending on the region (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Libya), involve family feasts, bonfires, traditional music, and donning traditional clothing. Yennayer emphasizes family gatherings, renewal, and the Amazigh's connection to nature, with traditional foods varying by region. The celebrations also extend to the wider community with parades, concerts, and carnivals, representing a proud display of Amazigh culture, which has historically faced marginalization.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

King Sheshonq 40% Tunisia 50% Libya 50% Morocco ×360% Algeria ×260% Yennayer ×570% North Africa ×380% Amazigh ×890%

Keywords

amazigh people 100% yennayer 90% north africa 80% new year 70% culture 60% ethnic groups 50% traditional clothing 50% family gatherings 40% amazigh calendar 40%

Sentiment Analysis

Positive

Score: 0.40

Source Transparency

Source

BBC News - World

Political Lean

Center (0.00)

Far LeftCenterFar Right

Classification Confidence

90%

Geographic Perspective

Amazigh

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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amazigh people yennayer north africa new year culture ethnic groups traditional clothing family gatherings amazigh calendar

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