Banu Sumadih facts for kids
The Banu Sumadih were an important Arab family from the 11th century. They ruled a part of Al-Andalus (which is now Spain) called the Taifa of Almería. This area is in the modern-day Almería province. The Banu Sumadih family was also known for having several talented poets, like Umm Al-Kiram.
The Banu Sumadih Rulers
The Banu Sumadih family was a branch of another powerful family called the Banu Tujib. A military leader named Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Sumadih was a governor in Huesca. This was during the time of his distant cousin, al-Mundir I, who ruled the Taifa of Zaragoza.
However, Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Sumadih had problems with his ruler, al-Mundir, and was forced to leave. He went to the Taifa of Valencia. Later, in 1038, his son Ma'n ibn Muhammad was made governor of Almería by the Valencia ruler, 'Abd al-'Aziz ibn Amir.
Just three years later, in 1041, Ma'n ibn Muhammad made Almería an independent state, or "taifa." His family ruled this area for three generations. The last Banu Sumadih ruler had to flee in 1091 because of a new powerful group called the Almoravids. He eventually found safety with the Hammadid king Al-Mansur ibn Nasir, who gave him control of Dellys in Algeria.
Who Ruled?
Here are the main rulers from the Banu Sumadih family:
- Ma'n ibn Muhammad ibn Sumadih (1041–1051): He was the first independent ruler of Almería. Before that, he was a governor under the Taifa of Valencia.
- Al-Mu'tasim ibn Sumadih (1051–1091): He was a well-known Arabic poet. He became ruler when he was still very young, so his uncle, Abu 'Utba, helped him rule for a while.
- Mu'izz ud-Dawla ibn Sumadih (1091): He was the last ruler. He had to escape to the Hammadid dynasty and was given control of Dellys in North Africa.
