Maghrawa
The Maghrawa or Meghrawa were a large Zenata Berber tribe whose cradle and seat of power was the territory located on the Chelif in the north-western part of today's Algeria, bounded by the Wansharis to the south, the Mediterranean to the north and Tlemcen to the west.[1] They ruled these areas on behalf of the Umayyad Caliphate of Cordoba in the end of the 10th century and the first half of the 11th century.
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Languages | |
| Berber Algerian | |
| Religion | |
| Islam |
History
The Meghrawa, a tribe of Zanata Berbers,[2] were one of the first Berber tribes to submit to Islam in the 7th century. They supported Uqba ibn Nafi in his campaign to the Atlantic in 683. They defected from Sunni Islam and became Kharijites Muslims from the 8th century, and allied first with the Shia Muslim Idrisids, and, from the 10th century, with the Andalusian Umayyads of Córdoba. As a result, they were caught up in the Umayyad-Fatimid conflict in Morocco and Algeria. Although they won a victory over the allies of the Fatimids in 924, they soon became allied with them themselves. When they switched back to the side of Córdoba, they were driven out of central Morocco by the Zirids, who ruled on behalf of the Fatimids. In 980, however, they were able to drive the Miknasa out of Sijilmasa.[2]
Under Ziri ibn Atiyya (to 1001) the Meghrawa achieved supremacy in Fez under Umayyad suzerainty and expanded their territory at the expense of the Banu Ifran. A revolt against the Andalusian Umayyads was put down by Al-Mansur (Abi Amir), although the Meghrawa were able to regain power in Fez. Under the succeeding rulers al-Muizz (1001-1026), Hamman (1026-1039) and Dunas (1039) they consolidated their rule in northern and central Morocco. However, internal power struggles after 1060 enabled the Almoravid dynasty to conquer the Maghrawa realm in 1070 and put an end to their rule.
Maghrawid leaders
- Mohamed Ibn Al Khayr 970.
- Attia 986 - 988.[3]
| Preceded by Idrissid and Umayyad dynasty |
Maghrawas 970-1068 |
Succeeded by Almoravid dynasty |
References
- Lewicki, T. (24 Apr 2012). "Mag̲h̲rāwa". Brill.
- Ibn Khaldoun , History of berber
- Table made by Ibn Khaldun and translated by Slane indicating the dynasty Banou Ifran by Ibn Khaldun Book Google Ibn Khaldun , History of Berber