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

Main article: Zaian War

During the protectorate, the Gzenaya tribe defeated France in the “Triangle of Death” (Aknoul, Boured, Tizi Ousli), in October 1955, for the country's independence and the end of the protectorate.

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.

Panorama on the Igzennayen mountain range

Some notable towns and village of Gzennaya include:

• Ain Hamra (Thara Tazegwaght)
• Ajdir
• Aknoul
• Boured
• Braret
• Inahnahene
• Sidi Ali Bourakba
• Taghilaste
• Tighezratine
• Tizi Ouasli