Munuza facts for kids
Uthman ibn Naissa (Arabic: عثمان بن نيساء), better known as Munuza, was a Berber leader. He was a governor during the Umayyad conquest of Hispania (which is now Spain and Portugal). Different old stories tell different things about him, so it's a bit confusing to know his exact history.
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Munuza in Northern Spain (Asturias)
Some stories say Munuza was a governor in northern Spain, possibly in Gijón or León. This was after the Umayyad army, led by Musa ibn Nusayr, moved into northwestern Iberia in the early 700s. Munuza reported to the main governor of Al-Andalus, named Anbasa ibn Suhaym Al-Kalbi.
Munuza and Pelayo
According to old stories from the region of Asturias, Munuza was defeated by a Christian leader named Pelayo of Asturias. This happened after a very important battle called the Battle of Covadonga. This battle is often seen as the start of the Reconquista, which was a long period when Christian kingdoms fought to take back control of Spain from Muslim rule. The stories say Pelayo killed Munuza in a place called Trubia or La Felguera.
The Story of Ormesinda
One old story says that Munuza fell in love with Pelayo's sister, Ormesinda. He supposedly kidnapped her and forced her to marry him. This marriage, which was against her will, made Pelayo very angry. It is believed that this event was a major reason why Pelayo started his rebellion against Munuza and the Umayyad rulers.
Munuza in the Pyrenees (Cerdanya)
Other old writings talk about a "Munuza" who was a Berber commander in a different area. This was in the eastern Pyrenees mountains, in a region called Cerdanya, about ten years later. It's possible that this was the same Munuza who didn't die in Asturias, but was instead sent to a new area by the Umayyad leaders.
Munuza's Alliance with Odo
In the year 730, this Munuza, who was a deputy governor in Catalunya, made a peace deal with a powerful Frankish leader named Odo the Great. To make the peace stronger, Odo's daughter, Lampegia, married Munuza. After this marriage, the attacks by Arab forces on Odo's lands stopped for a while, and there was peace.
Munuza's Rebellion and Defeat
However, Munuza later rebelled against the main Arab governor of al-Andalus. He wanted to create his own independent region in Catalunya. During his rebellion, Munuza killed Nambaudus, who was a bishop. Because of this, Munuza was declared a traitor.
Odo the Great, Munuza's father-in-law, was busy fighting against another powerful Frankish leader, Charles Martel. So, Odo could not help Munuza. Munuza was defeated in a short battle and was executed by the Cordovan governor, Abd al-Rahman al-Ghafiqi. After Munuza's defeat, Odo was accused of helping the traitor. Odo was then attacked by an Arab army and defeated at Bordeaux.
See also
In Spanish: Munuza para niños
