Gzenaya
Gzenaya or Igzenayen (Berber: ⵉⴳⵣⵏⴰⵢⵏ) is the name of a Riffian tribe of the Rif region in the north-eastern part of Morocco. Towns such as Aknoul, Ajdir Gzenaya and Ain Hamra belong to this tribe. Many Igzenayen can also be found in cities such as Tangier, Taza and Meknes.
Igzenayen
ⵉⴳⵣⵏⴰⵢⵏ | |
|---|---|
Tribe | |
 The Igzenayen are indicated with VI | |
| Country | Morocco |
| Region | Oriental |
| Province | Taza, Driouch |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
Etymology
The word Gzenaya comes from the Berber word "Igzenayen". Originally the tribe was known by the land of "Gzenaya" which means the land of beauty in the Amazigh language.
the area is well known by its high mountains (Rif Mountains), huge valleys and rivers, green woods, and its healing water of Ain Hamra.
Gzenaya has an important place in the history of Morocco. it is the birthplace of many heroes ; as well as being the birth tribe of Jaich ittahrir, the army of independence.
War with France
During the protectorate, the Gzenaya tribe defeated France in the “Triangle of Death” (Aknoul, Boured, Tizi Ousli), in October 1921, for the country's independence and the end of the protectorate.[1]
Geography
Geographically, the Igzenayen historical region extends over the modern Moroccan provinces of Taza, Al-Hoceima, Taounate, and possibly a portion of the Driouch province.
The geography is characterized by its high mountains, some small fertile plains, and by a fresh Mediterranean climate.
Some notable towns and village of Gzennaya include:
- Tisliouine
- Tala Tazegwaght (Ain Hamra)
- Ait aissam
- Ait Mhend
- Ajdir
- Aknoul
- Braret
- Buisri
- Burd
- Buankud
- Branda
- Dcar Azrou
- Taghirast
- Duaya
- Aarkub
- Ibakriyen
- Inehecen
- Ixewanen
- Ighbaben
- Iharkliyen
- Iharcliene
- Iharesen
- Ihdayen (Hadria)
- Ihrucen
- Ikabunen
- Ikarwan
- Inehnahen
- Ibuakbathen (sidi ali bourkba)
- Izarwalen
- Jbarna
- Tastit
- Tarmest
- Tbadiwien
- Tegzratin
- Tizi w-Asri
- Tizi n Dra
- Tizi Ouasli
- Asht Aissa
- Yarwahdud
- Douar Ifzarene (Ifzan)
- Douar tighza