Gzenaya

View on some Igzenayen mountains. At the bottom right, view on the city of Aïn Hamra.

Gzennya or Igzennayen is the name of many Berber tribes and places in the mountainous Rif region in northern Morocco.

Etymology

The word Gzennya comes from the Berber word "Igzennayen". Originally the tribe was known by the land of "Igzennayen" which means the land of beauty; that area is well known by its high mountains (Rif Mountains), huge valleys and rivers, green woods, and its healing water of Ain Hamra.

Gzennaya has an important place in the history of Morocco. it is the birthplace of many heroes ; as well as it the birth tribe of Jaich ittahrir the army of independence.

War with France

During the protectorate, the Gzennaya 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 Igzennayen historical region extends over the modern Moroccan provinces of Taza, Al-Hoceima, Taounate, and possibly a portion of the Nador 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 people include:

• Taza
• Buɛenqud
• Aknul (Aknoul, Ichawiyen)
• Tařa Tazeggwaght
• Ajdir
• Burd
• Tizi Ousli
• Ihdayen (Hadria)
• Tastit
• Qasita
• Acht Aru Aisa
• Tamjunt
• Tisliwin
• Taghilaste
• Yahouthen
• Ait Hazem
• Ibackwathen