Gzenaya

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

Gzenaya or Igzenayen is the name of a tribe in the mountainous Rif region in northern Morocco.

Etymology

The word Gzenaya comes from the Berber word "Igzenayen". Originally the tribe was known by the land of "Gzenaya" which means the land of beauty

the area is well known by its high mountains (Rif Mountains), huge valleys and rivers, green woods, and its healing water of Ain Hamra.

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

Main article: Zaian War

During the protectorate, the Gzenaya tribe defeated France in the “Triangle of Death” (Aknoul, Boured, Tizi Ousli), in October 1921, for the country's independence and the end of the protectorate.

Geography

Geographically, the Igzenayen 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 include:

• Tisliouine
• Tarra Tazegwaght
• Ait aissam
• Ait Mhend
• Ajdir
• Aknul (Icawiyen)
• Braret
• Buisri
• Burd
• Buankud
• Branda
• Dcar Azrou
• Taghirast
• Duaya
• Aarkub
• Kassita
• Ibakriyen
• Inehecen
• Ixewanen
• Ighbaben
• Iharkliyen
• Iharcliene
• Iharesen
• Ihdayen (Hadria)
• Ihrucen
• Ikabunen
• Ikarwan
• Inehnahen
• Ibuakbathen (sidi ali bourkba)
• Izarwalen
• Jbarna
• Tastit
• Tarmest
• Tbadiwien
• Tegzratin
• Tizi w-Asri
• Tizi n Dra
• Tizi ousli
• Asht Aissa
• Yarwahdud
• Douar Ifzarene (Ifzan)
• Douar tighza