Berbers in North Africa are heralding in the Amazigh New Year, with festivities showcasing traditional food, music and dance planned throughout the region. Friday marks the first day of the year 2968 for North Africa's indigenous inhabitants, who are also known as Amazigh. The Amazigh New Year - or Yennayer, as it is locally called - is the first day of the agricultural calendar used by Berbers for millenia. Ahmed Assid, an Amazigh activist, told Al Jazeera the event has a "significant historical connotation" for Berbers: "It dates back to ancient times when the Amazigh king Shoshenq I was enthroned in Egypt, after defeating Ramses III." Amazigh activist Ahmed Assid said that such recognition was a welcome development.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 12, 2018 12:37 UTC