Researchers Debunk 'Myth of Yemeni Origins' for Amazigh of Morocco and North Africa

A growing body of research is questioning the widely accepted narrative that the Amazigh people of Morocco and North Africa originated from Yemen. Geneticists and archaeologists are presenting evidence that challenges this historical link, suggesting it may be a forced or inaccurate association.

Researcher Aurag Zain El Abidine, an IT engineer and genetic researcher, emphasized the need for a scientific approach to dismantle the presumed connection between the Amazigh of Morocco and Yemen. He pointed to recent findings from 2024, where skeletal remains discovered in Socotra were found to be genetically closer to the Himyarites, a South Arabian civilization, rather than the Sanhaja and Kutama tribes, who were previously claimed to have migrated from Yemen.

This new evidence contradicts the long-standing theory that these prominent Amazigh groups, and by extension all Amazigh people, trace their ancestry back to Yemen. The research indicates that the supposed migration from Yemen is not supported by current genetic and archaeological data. The scientific community is increasingly advocating for a re-evaluation of Amazigh origins based on empirical findings.

The implications of this research could reshape our understanding of North African history and identity. By debunking the Yemeni origin myth, scientists aim to establish a more accurate historical and genetic lineage for the Amazigh people, grounded in scientific evidence rather than historical conjecture.