The Bereber New Year, known as Yennayer, is a celebration held every year on January 12th. It marks the start of a new agricultural cycle and is accompanied by numerous rituals, with one of the most significant being the festive meal.
Prepped dishes are hearty, symbolic, and vary across North African regions, but all are meant to convey wishes of abundance, fertility, and prosperity for the new year, as well as a deep connection to the land.
The most iconic dish of Yennayer is undoubtedly couscous with seven vegetables, traditionally prepared with chicken or lamb. The seven vegetables symbolize the days of the week and embody hopes for a full, prosperous year ahead. Also commonly enjoyed is berkoukes, a hearty soup made with large pearl semolina grains, vegetables, chickpeas, and meat—an especially popular dish in rural regions.
Another must-try item is the semolina galette, known as takfnift, often enjoyed with butter, honey, or olive oil. In the south, Taguella Touareg bread, baked beneath hot ashes, pairs perfectly with spicy sauces. Dried fruits, toasted seeds (almonds, walnuts, figs, dates, roasted chickpeas), and hard-boiled eggs are also commonly served, especially to children, as symbols of good luck.
These traditional culinary specialties of Yennayer represent the rich history of a people, the bounty of their lands, and a desire to pass down a living heritage. Wishing everyone a joyful Yennayer 2026!
Where to ring in the Berber New Year / Yennayer 2026 in Paris? Cuisine, culture & top Amazigh spots
Yennayer, the Amazigh New Year, is an ancient celebration that signals the start of a new cycle in the agricultural calendar of the Berber peoples. Filled with traditions, festive feasts, and symbolic rituals, this holiday is also observed in Paris on January 12, 2026. Find out what's in store for the festivities! [Read more]
Where to ring in the Berber New Year / Yennayer 2026 in Paris? Cuisine, culture & top Amazigh spots
