Gzenaya
Gzenaya or Igzennayen 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.
Etymology
The word Gzenaya is the Arabic version of the Berber name "Igzennayen". It is believed their name comes from izinnayen. Originally the tribe was known by the land of "Gzenaya" which means the land of beauty in the Amazigh language. 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.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.War with France
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.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.
Some notable towns and villages, tribes of the Gzeneya include:
- Ait Aissam izem=Ait Eas'im
- Braret
- Buisri
- Burd
- Buankud
- Branda
- Dcar Azrou
- Taghirast
- Duaya
- Aarkub
- Ibakriyen
- Inehecen
- Ixewanen
- Ighbaben
- Iharkliyen
- Iharcliene
- Iharesen
- Ihdayen
- Ihrucen
- Ikabunen
- Ikarwan
- Inehnahen
- Ibuakbathen
- Izarwalen
- Jbarna
- Tamjount
- Tastit
- Tarmest
- Tbadiwien
- Tegzratin
- Tizi w-Asri
- Tizi n Dra
- Tizi Ouasli
- Asht Aissa
- Yarwahdud
- Douar Ifzarene
- Douar tighza