Morocco’s King Mohamed IV has approved the Amazigh new year as an official paid national holiday.
It follows a long-running campaign by activists for the recognition of the calendar recognised by the Berber people, or Amazigh as they prefer to be called.
The Amazigh, who constitute around 40% of the country’s population of more than 34 million, celebrate the new year, also known as Yennayer.
The first day of the year is based on seasons and agriculture – and counting is said to have started when an Amazigh king defeated an Egyptian pharaoh 2972 years ago.
The current year is 2973.
The day is also celebrated by Arabic-speaking Moroccans who call it the beginning of the agricultural year corresponding to 13 January.
The royal palace said on Wednesday that the approval of the holiday showed the “king’s commitment to the Berber language, a fundamental part of Morocco’s authentic identity and a shared asset for all Moroccans”.