Transcript The Maghreb
The Maghreb HIST 1007 11/6/13 The Spread of Islam North Africa before Islam • Not integrated into empires • Urban centers – Connections to Europe and Byzantium – Christianity • Small scale agriculture • Pastoralist nomads • Berbers Roman amphitheater in El Djem, Tunisia Arab Conquests • 643-648: First invasion, across Libya – First Fitna • 665-689: Second invasion, conquer Tunisia – Second Fitna • 692-709: Third invasion, conquer Morocco • 711: Invasion of Spain • Establish numerous small states • Qayrawan: Capital of Arab Ifriqiya Great Mosque of Qayrawan, Tunisia Berbers and Islam • • • • Subject population vs. welcomed converts Jizya and slavery Kharijism 740-743: Berber Revolt – Berber tribal revolt – With Islamic trappings • Ends with Berber states centered on trading posts • Rustamids (r. 761-909): Kharijite Berber state centered on Tahert Idrisids (r. 789-926) • Zaydi Shi’ites • Idriss I (r. 788-791): grandson of the Shi’ite Imam Hasan b. `Ali and founder of Idrisid state • 787 – Flees `Abbasids • Seeks help of Awraba Berbers • Marries daughter of chief (birth of Morocco?) • Uses Shi’ite charisma and Berber muscle to conquer Morocco Tomb of Idris I, Moulay Idriss, Morocco Idrisids and Fez • 789 – Establish the city of Fez as Idrisid capital • Encourage immigration of Arabs • Especially those escaping from `Abbasids and Umayyads of Spain • Establish a core of Arab supporters to counter Berbers `Abbasids and Aghlabids • Aghlabids (r. 800-909) • `Abbasid governors of Ifriqiya turned independent dynasty • Centered on Qayrawan • The Wild West – Rebellious Arab soldiers – Berber attacks Aghlabids and Italy • 827 – 902: Conquest of Sicily – Part of Byzantine Empire – Along with southern Italy • 847 – 871: Emirate of Bari – Muslim state on Italian Peninsula • 9th century piracy • 965 – 1091: Emirate of Sicily • Norman conquest of Italy • Arabs in the Norman court Painting made for Norman king of Palermo, 1150 Fatimids in North Africa • Isma`ili Shi’ite missionaries convert Kutana Berbers • 909: al-Mahdi declares himself caliph • Establish capital in Tunisia • Conquest of North Africa (and Sicily) • Destruction of Kharijite dynasties • 969: Conquest of Egypt • 972: Abandonment of North Africa Walls of Mahdia, first Fatimid capital Zirids (r. 973-1148) • Sanhaja Berbers governing North Africa for the Fatimids • Removal of Fatimid resources, especially navy • Sicily becomes fully independent • 1016: Shi’ite revolt violently put down • 1049: Zirids break with Fatimids, recognize `Abbasid authority New Arab Invasions • Banu Hilal and Banu Sulaym • Bedouin Arab tribes sent by Fatimids • 1057: Zirids lose Qayrawan • Breakdown of unified North Africa • Hammadids (r. 10141152): Sanhaja Berber offshoot of Zirids ruling north-eastern Algeria Beni Hammad Fort Almoravids (r. 1040-1147) • Sanhaja Berbers from the Western Sahara • Trans-Saharan Trade • Gold-Salt Trade • Sijilmasa: Key trade center in northern Sahara • Almoravids pressured by Zanata Berbers to the north and the Ghana Empire to the south Almoravids and Islam • 1040: Berber chieftain goes on pilgrimage to Mecca • `Abdallah b. Yasin: Maliki religious scholar from Qayrawan returns with chieftan • Teaches Qur’an, hadith, and law • Enforces strict moral code – No music, no alcohol, changes tax codes • Promotes coming of the last days • The inner jihad • Ribat – al-murabitun - Almoravids Maraboutism • Marabout: religious scholar and teacher, but also Sufi saint • Guide to a religious community • Syncretism • Ribat – murabit – marabout • Baraka, shrines, and ziyara A marabout’s tomb in southern Morocco Almoravids • 1055 – take Sijilmasa from Ghana • Establish control over Trans-Saharan Trade • 1070 – Establish Marrakesh as capital • 1080 – complete conquest of Morocco • 1082 – aid requested from Spanish Muslims • Create a single state uniting Sahara, Morocco, and Spain Almoravids and Empire • Amir al-muslimin • Scribes from Spain • Christian mercenaries • Black ghulam • Maliki religious scholars • Elimination of Shi’ism and Kharijism Almoravid General Abu Bakr Muhammad b. `Abdallah b. Tumart (ca. 1080-1130) • Berber religious scholar who studied in Baghdad and Damascus • Mixture of strict Sunni law with Sufi charisma • 1117: Returns to Morocco as a fiery, puritan preacher • Heir to the Prophet • Return to the time of the Prophet • Mahdi, imam, and ma`sun (sinless) • Berber military strength with religious charisma Ibn Tumart Mosque