Banu Sulaym facts for kids
The Banu Sulaym (Arabic: بنو سليم) were a group of nomadic Arabs. This means they were people who moved around a lot instead of living in one place. In the 11th century, they traveled from Upper Egypt to what is now Tunisia and eastern Algeria. They even defeated the local Berbers who lived there.
Contents
History of the Banu Sulaym
From Arabia to North Africa
Stories passed down through generations say that the Banu Sulaym tribe originally came from the Arabian Peninsula. Their legends tell that they rebelled against the Caliph (a powerful ruler) in Baghdad in the late 10th century. This rebellion might have been why they left their homeland.
The Invasion of Tunisia
In 1049, the Zirid ruler of Tunisia decided to rebel against Egypt. To punish them, many nomadic tribes, including the Banu Sulaym, were sent to Tunisia. Ibn Khaldun, an early historian from Tunisia, described their arrival as being like "a cloud of locusts." This means they arrived in huge numbers, covering the land.
Their Influence and Decline
Arab poets of the time wrote about the many victories of the Banu Sulaym as they moved west across North Africa. They controlled a large part of North Africa for over a century. They mostly settled in southern Tunisia and Libya. A smaller number also lived in southern Algeria and the plains of Morocco. However, during the 12th century, they were defeated in several battles by a Moroccan dynasty.
See also
In Spanish: Banu Sulaym para niños
