Below are articles published by Ennahar and Morocco World News:

Photo courtesy of Yennayer Ameggaz 2958@flickr

Read more about the ongoing discussion in Morocco, where an opposition party and activists call for it to be considered a public holiday.

2965 years ago, Amazigh King "Chachnaq" won the war against the Pharaohs. Since then, his descendants celebrate every year this historic victory.

Algiers- An unusual atmosphere won shops and markets of the capital yesterday where residents prepared for the event, and like all Algerians, celebrate the Amazigh New Year 2965.

Wonderfully decorated with dry fruit and sweets, shops at Ali Mellah market quickly seized the attention of citizens who came to shop to perpetuate the traditional ritual of "thirteen".

Thus, in the spirit of preserving the traditions inherited, Algerians prepare a copious dinner that brings together an evening in, all family members.

To cook the popular dish on this occasion, in this case "erfis" with pieces of chicken, mothers continue to flock to the various shops to buy meat and other essential ingredients.

Greatly celebrated, many are however unaware of the context surrounding the festivities.

In Clauzel market, Malika say she celebrated Yennayer by pure tradition. It is celebrated on the 12th day of the Christian New Year to make a difference with Christians.

This view is shared by Abdelkader, who had also come to buy the necessary with his two young daughters. This is to celebrate the New Year differently from Christians.

On the other hand, it is a boon for retailers who will see their profits increase due to the rise in prices of products offered including dried fruit and candy.

Moreover, the Amazigh calendar dates back to the victory of Chachnaq who had successfully repressed the troops of Pharaoh. He defeated King Ramses III.

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Marrakech – The Amazigh Cultural Network in the US is hosting a celebration to ring in the Amazigh New Year 2965 in Armory Hall, in Everett, Massachusetts. The event will take place on January 24 from 5:00pm to 10:00pm.

Unlike the Christian and Islamic calendar, the Amazigh calendar does not correlate with any religious event, but triggers off of an historic event: the anniversary of the victory of the Amazigh leader Shashank I in the reign of Ramses II over the Pharaohs, and the unification of Libya with Egypt and the Levant.

Since that time (measured as 950 BC in the Christian calendar), the Amazigh people have celebrated annually the triumph of Shashank, the founder of the 22nd Family in the reign of Ramses II. The Amazigh New Year’s Eve corresponds also to the eve of the Agricultural Year in North Africa (a calendar adopted by farmers to determine when they can cultivate their fields according to defined periods.

The celebration provides an opportunity to discover traditional live Amazigh music and dance, from different regions of North Africa, and features an exhibition table demonstrating the close relations of the Amazigh community in the US to its home land, Tamazgha, in North Africa, according to a news release obtained by MWN.

Special guest, singer and Arabs Got Talent star Jennifer Grout, will perform during the celebration.

The organizers welcome all Amazigh and other interested people to attend the celebration and enjoy traditional Amazigh cuisine, including couscous and hot tea with mint.