Gzenaya

Gzenaya or Igzennayen (Tarifit: ⵉⴳⵣⴻⵏⵏⴰⵢⴻⵏ, romanized: Igzennayen)^[1] 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 Igzennayen can also be found in cities such as Tangier, Taza and Meknes.

Igzennayen ⵉⴳⵣⴻⵏⵏⴰⵢⴻⵏ
Tribe
The Igzennayen are indicated with VI
Interactive map of Igzennayen
Country	Morocco
Region	Oriental
Province	Taza, Driouch
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)

Etymology

The word Gzenaya is the Arabic version of the Berber name "Igzennayen". It is believed their name comes from izinnayen (lit. 'libertines, fornicators').^[2] Originally the tribe was known by the land of "Gzenaya" which means the land of beauty in the Amazigh language.^{[citation needed]} Like other Riffian groups, they are believed to descend from Goliath so their neighbours, the Ait Waryaghar, jokingly refer to them as r- 'adhawth n-Sidna Dawud (lit. 'the enemy of our lord David').^[2]

History

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.^{[citation needed]}

War with France

Main article: Zaian War

During the protectorate era, the Gzenaya tribe defeated France in the “Triangle of Death”, a nickname given to the area between Aknoul, Boured and Tizi Ouasli, in October 1955, for the country's independence and the end of the protectorate.^[3]

Geography

Geographically, the Igzennayen 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.

The tribal area of the Igzennayen hosts the iron rich water source Tala Tazeggʷaġt, of which the water is known for its healing properties.^[4]

Panorama on the Igzennayen mountain range

Some notable towns and villages, tribes of the Gzeneya include:^{[citation needed]}

• Ait Aissam izem=Ait Eas'im

• 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
• Tamjount
• Tastit
• Tarmest
• Tbadiwien
• Tegzratin
• Tizi w-Asri
• Tizi n Dra
• Tizi Ouasli
• Asht Aissa
• Yarwahdud
• Douar Ifzarene (Ifzan)
• Douar tighza