Amazigh traditional celebrations

Prior to christianization and islamization of Tamazgha (North Africa), the ancient Amazigh had their own ecological creeds, mostly based on respect for the earth, flora and fauna. So is their calendar, which is full of ceremonies and rituals dedicated to the different seasons.

The Amazigh used to celebrate the change of seasons, and the celebrations were meant to give a farewell to the ending season while, at the same time, welcoming the new one. By so doing, the Amazigh pay tribute to the land and hopefully expect it to be fertile in exchange.

Among the traditional celebrations held in order to welcome the new seasons are Yennayer (Amazigh New Year) and Amager n Tefsut. Besides these celebrations, ancient Amazigh used to celebrate other events occasionally, such as Anzar, and carnivals, such as Boujlima. Anzar (the god of water) is paid tribute when water shortage jeopardizes the harvests. Among the texts chanted during this celebration, there is the following from an excellent album sung by Meksa, an Amazigh singer from Blida (Algeria), who unfortunately passed away at a very young age.
Anzar!

Anzar! Anzar!
At-tebbw nnaama bbw edrar
Anzar, Anzar
At-ternu tin n uzagar

Assa an-ncebbeh i wgwenja
A d-nezzi merra i tudrin
An-necnu macci d kra
Tulawin s tagratin
Ay Anzar awi-d lehwa
Ad swent yakw tebhirin

Anzar, Anzar….

Ay Anzar awi-d aman
Kkawent tferkiwin
Teslid merra s isalan
Ttxil-ek ugal-ag-d d aewin
Awi-d kra din yellan
Yezra yired t-temzin
Anzar, Azar…

Akal ifud ur yeswa
Knant ula t-tizemrin
Tala tugal s nnuba
Hejbent fell-as tlawin
Nebbwi-k d acewwiq i cnna
Ttefrent fell-ak tudrin

Anzar, Anzar…

Oh Anzar! Oh Anzar!
May the harvest be plentiful
Oh Anzar! Oh Anzar!
In our mountains and plains

You know, we will adorn the bride today
Every village will join
We will honor you with songs
Women will honor with dinghies
But You Anzar, send us some water
All the vegetable gardens have dried up

Oh Anzar! Oh Anzar!…

Anzar! Send us some water, please
Every single field has dried up
Did you not hear the news?
Supply us with food
Send us anything you have
Fields are sown with wheat and barley
Oh Anzar! Oh Anzar…

Do you not see how thirsty is our earth
How very humiliated are our olive trees
How deserted is the fountain of the village
No woman goes there anymore
Are you reduced to a simple song
Villagers no longer host you as they should

Oh Anzar! Oh Anzar…