In Algeria as well as in all the countries of North Africa, the new year is celebrated twice during January. Besides the new year’s day of the gregorian calendar, the Algerians celebrate Yennayer, the Amazigh new year, every twelfth of January. To learn more about this celebration, dive with Jumbo Car Algeria into the heart of these festivities.
What is the origin of Yennayer?
Also called nayer, ennayer, or laadjouza (the old lady), yennayer is an Amazigh word designating the first month in the Berber calendar. Its origins go back to 950 BC during the succession of king Sheshnoq I to the throne; being of an Amazigh origin, he founded the 22nd Pharaonic dynasty, but the very first which was Berber. Being of great importance, this date was chosen to commemorate this event that marked the history of North Africa, although yennayer had been celebrated since the dawn of time by our ancestors who knew how to preserve this precious heritage and how to pass it from one generation to the next.
One cannot speak of yennayer without mentioning its legends, and the most known one is that of Laadjouza (the old lady). The legend says that once the children have gone all around the neighborhood collecting sweets and candies, an old lady then appears late at night and, as a punishment, takes all that harvest back from the children who were not very good during the year.
How to Celebrate Yennayer? Jumbo Car Algeria tells you all about it:
Across Algeria, the celebration of Yennayer is different from a region to another, depending on the village; despite the different traditions, theses regions are all united by one hope, that of a good omen for a productive (fruitful/ promising) year, and this by preparing hearty meals.
The Preparations for Yennayer:
Days before the Amazigh new year, the preparations start in a joyous and cheerful atmosphere; you can joyfully walk around the market where every kind of treats, dried fruits, and vegetables will tickle your nostrils and wake up your taste buds.
Yennayer in Kabylia:
Yennayer is celebrated almost the same way in Kabylia; the houses undergo a deep cleaning in order to receive guests, the tasks that have been stared must be completed that day, such as weaving or construction, you can also attend to various rituals and more importantly enjoy some delicious traditional dishes like Couscous, Berkoukes or Rechta, all garnished with generous pieces of red or white meat, and pulses, depending on what the season has offered.
This culinary tradition is served in a very large and curved wooden plate around which everybody is gathered to enjoy moments of sharing and love. Late in the evening, families and their guests gather again around another large plate, but this time containing sweets and dried fruits.
In the East of Algeria:
In the East, for example, the preparation for this celebration is done by cleaning the houses, changing everything that is worn out and of course preparing a generous meal rich in earth products.
In the Oues of Algeria: The Ayred Carnaval
In the west, this ritual stands out with a most incredible festival called Ayred (Lion) where the youngest inhabitants disguise themselves by wearing masks and dried skins of animals, going from house to house, accompanied by a choir singing and percussion noises, in order to collect donations (products of the earth) which will then be offered to those in need.
If you are curious to find out more about this custom, take the road to one of the Algerian cities and let yourself be amazed by these festivities in the good company
of the locals. To do so, book a vehicle at the rental agency Jumbo Car Algerie, it is the fastest and safest way to take full advantage of it.
If you are curious to find out more about this custom, take the road to one of the Algerian cities and let yourself be amazed by these rejoicings in the good company of the locals. To do this, book a vehicle at the Jumbo Car Algerie car rental agency, this is the fastest and safest way to take full advantage of it.