Iznasen

The Iznassen (Berber: ⴰⵜ ⵉⵣⵏⴰⵙⵙⵏ) or At Iznassen or Beni Znassen (Singular : Aznass) is an historical confederation of Berber zenati riffian tribe originating from the north-east of the Rif, in Morocco in the provinces of Berkane.

Beni Znassen mountains

History

The Iznassen are Berber but Arabized, that is to say that they are of Berber origin but speak mainly only Arabic. They nevertheless include Arab-Berber fractions.

The Iznassen are divided into 4 Berber tribes :

  • Beni Khald
  • Beni Menqouch
  • Beni 'Atiq
  • Beni Ourimech

Etymology

Iznassen in the Berber Zenati language is the plural of “Aznass” which is made of “Azn” meaning “Send” and “Ass” meaning “The Day”. Iznassen literally means "Those who send (during) the Day".

Layout

The 4 Berber tribes

  • Beni Khaled or At Khaled
    • Oulad el Ghazi (Aghbal)
    • Ahl Taghejirt
    • Beni Drar
  • Beni Menqouch or At Menqouch
    • Labsara
    • Beni Khellouf
    • Beni Mimoun
  • Beni 'Atiq or At 'Atiq
    • Tghasrout
    • Ouled 'Ali ben Yassin
    • Beni Amiyer
    • Beni Hammad
    • Tazaghine
    • Beni Moussi La'tach
    • Beni Moussi Rwa
    • Ouled Mimoun
    • Beni Bouya'la
  • Beni Ourimech or At Ourimech
    • Ouled Bou 'Abdoussayed
    • Ouled 'Ali Chbab
    • Ouled Abbou
    • Ahl Tagma
    • Beni Nouga
    • Beni Mahiou

Language

The east of Morocco has many different languages. Beni Iznasen has both Arabic-speaking and Berber-speaking political groups. Bilingualism sometimes occurs, mainly in the older generations. The younger generations usually only speak Arabic.

Arabic

The Arabic dialect of eastern Morocco is the so-called Hilali dialect. It is similar to the dialects of Marrakech and Casablanca. It is different to the urban (pre-Hilali) dialects of Fes and the north of Morocco. This Arabic dialect also is similar to the dialect of western Algeria (Tlemcen), which borders the Beni Iznasen area.

Berber

Those who speak the most Berber are the older generations of the Ait Iznassen people. The Berber dialect of eastern Morocco is almost similair to East Riffian and the Berber of Beni Snous tribe near Tlemcen in Algeria.

Since the Berber language was made an official language of Morocco in 2011, schools are now teaching the language to new generations.

Personalities

Personalities who are born or originally from the Beni Snassen region.

Sports

Hicham El Guerrouj - Olympian, World Record Fastest Mile

Hakim Ziyech - Footballer Chelsea, 2022 World Cup Morocco Team

Lahssen Akhmiss - Footballer

Abdelkader El Brazi - Footballer

Mohammed Berrabeh - Footballer

Ahmed Talbi - Footballer

Abdelkader Wahabi - Boxer

Politicians & Diplomats

Abbas Al Fassi - Prime Minister (2007), Minister of Housing (1977-1981), Minister of Handicraft and Social Affairs (1981-1985), Ambassador to Tunisia (1985-1990), Ambassador to France (1990-1994).

Mbarek Bekai - Prime Minister (1955-1958)

Anis Birou - Secretary of State (2007-2012)

Abdeladim El Guerrouj - Minister Deleguate for Public Services

Business

Fouzi Lekja - President of the Royal Moraccon Football Federation, Businessman.

References