Zenata facts for kids

The Zenata (Berber languages: Iznaten; Arabic: زناتة) are a large group of Amazigh (Berber) tribes. They were one of the biggest Berber groups, along with the Sanhaja and Masmuda. The Zenata people often lived as nomads, meaning they moved from place to place, or as semi-nomads.

Zenata Society and Lifestyle

The Zanata Stone, found in Tenerife, has ancient writing on it.

A historian from the 1300s, Ibn Khaldun, wrote that the Zenata were split into three main tribes. These were the Jarawa, Maghrawa, and Banu Ifran. The Zenata once lived across a large part of North Africa, called the Maghreb. But they moved south and west after conflicts with other powerful tribes.

The Zenata quickly adopted Islam in the 600s. While some other Amazigh tribes fought against the Umayyad Caliphate for a long time, the Zenata became Muslim early. They also played a big part in the Muslim conquest of Spain that followed.

Zenata Language

Like all Berbers, the Zenata spoke one of the Berber (Amazigh) languages. Ibn Khaldun noted that their way of speaking was different from other Berber groups. In 1915, a French language expert, Edmond Destaing, suggested the term "Zenati". This term groups together similar Berber languages. Examples include Riffian Berber in Morocco and Shawiya Berber in Algeria.

Zenata Political History

Before the Arab conquests, the Zenata lived in areas that are now Tunisia and Libya. Over time, they moved west. They settled in western Algeria, near Tiaret and Tlemcen. Some even moved further west into Morocco.

The Zenata tribes were very important in the politics of western North Africa. This happened during two main periods. In the 900s, they acted as allies for powerful empires. Later, from the 1200s to the 1500s, Zenata dynasties like the Zayyanid dynasty in Algeria and the Marinids and Wattasids in Morocco rose to power. Today, many Berbers in the Rif region of Morocco are thought to be descendants of the Zenata.

Zenata Influence: 700s to 900s

In the early Islamic period, Berber groups had a lot of power in Morocco. The Zenata were one of these strong groups. A Zenata leader named Khalid ibn Hamid al-Zanati was key in the Berber revolt of 740. This revolt was against the Arab Umayyad Caliphate. Khalid led the Berber rebels to important wins. Even though the Umayyads eventually defeated the rebels, western North Africa, including Morocco, became free from Arab caliph rule.

New kingdoms appeared in this area. One was the Midrarid Emirate in eastern Morocco. This kingdom was led by a Zenata tribe called Miknasa. They are known for founding the city of Sijilmasa.

In 868, some Berber tribes, including the Miknasa, joined forces. They fought against the Idrisid rulers of Fes. They managed to take Fes for a short time. Then, in the early 900s, the Fatimids from the east started to get involved in Morocco. They used the Miknasa tribe as allies. In 917, the Miknasa attacked Fes and took control.

A Miknasa leader, Musa ibn Abul 'Afiya, gained power. He sometimes supported the Fatimids and sometimes the Umayyads of Cordoba. This led to conflicts. Eventually, the Umayyads took control of northern Morocco. But their empire fell apart in the early 1000s. After this, different Zenata Berber tribes ruled Morocco. The Maghrawa controlled cities like Fes and Sijilmasa. The Banu Ifran ruled over Tlemcen and Salé.

Zenata Dynasties: 1200s to 1500s

In the 1200s, the Banu Marin, another Zenata tribe, became powerful in Morocco. They started to overthrow the Almohads, who had been ruling the region. At their strongest in the mid-1300s, the Marinid dynasty ruled most of North Africa. This included parts of modern-day Algeria and Tunisia.

The Marinids also helped the Emirate of Granada in Spain. But their attempt to gain land in Europe failed in 1340. The Castilians took Algeciras from them in 1344. The Marinids made Fes their capital. They built many madrasas (schools) across the country. These schools promoted Islamic education.

In the early 1400s, another related ruling family, the Wattasid dynasty, started to compete for power. They became the real rulers of Morocco between 1420 and 1459. They officially acted as helpers to the Marinid rulers. In 1465, the last Marinid ruler was overthrown. This led to the Wattasids officially taking control of most of Morocco. The Wattasid rulers lasted until the mid-1500s. They were then overthrown by the Saadians. This marked the start of Arab rule in Morocco.

At the same time as the Marinids, the Zenata Zayyanid dynasty ruled the Kingdom of Tlemcen in northwestern Algeria. This kingdom was centered around Tlemcen. It stretched from Tlemcen to Algiers. The Zayyanid dynasty ruled from 1235 until 1556. Their rule ended when they faced pressure from the Spanish and the Saadians. They were finally taken over by the Ottomans.

Zenata tribesmen also served as light cavalry in the armies of the Emirate of Granada in Spain. This is where the Spanish word jinete comes from. It means a type of light cavalry. These Zenata horsemen were very important to the Granadan army. They were fast and flexible. They used lances, javelins, and small round shields. They were known for their special fighting style. They also served as hired soldiers in the armies of Christian kingdoms like Castile.

See also

In Spanish: Zenata para niños

• Numidia
• Dihya
• Zanata Stone
• Su'da