8th century – 10th century
Tafilalet and southeastern Maghrib
The Banu Midrar Kingdom of Sidjilmasa was a Sufrite state founded by the Miknasa Berbers at Sidjilmasa in 757. It controlled the Tafilalet oasis and extended toward the Draa. Sidjilmasa was a major Saharan trading centre, a stopping point on the gold route, and a commercial link between lands south of the Sahara, the Maghrib, and the East. The ruling Banu Wasul later moved from Sufrism to Ibadism and Sunnism before their final expulsion by the Banu Khazrun.
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The Story
The Banu Wasul, more commonly known as the Banu Midrar, founded their kingdom at Sidjilmasa in 757. The founders were Miknasa Berbers, and the kingdom was situated in the Tafilalet oasis, extending toward the Draa. Its position placed it within the commercial geography connecting the Maghrib with the lands south of the Sahara.
Sidjilmasa’s importance rested above all on trade. It served as a major Saharan trading centre and a resting place on the gold route, while also functioning as a focal point for exchanges among the southern Sahara, the Maghrib, and the East. The city’s prosperity was remembered through descriptions of its fine dwellings, or ksars.
The kingdom experienced major political and religious changes. When the future Fatimid caliph Ubayd Allah al-Mahdi entered Sidjilmasa disguised as a merchant, he was eventually imprisoned; in September 909, Abu Abd Allah al-Dai captured the town and freed him. The Banu Wasul later regained power and governed despite successive changes from Sufrism to Ibadism and finally Sunnism.
The Banu Midrar were eventually expelled by the Zanata Banu Khazrun, who were supported by the Umayyads of Spain. Sidjilmasa itself no longer exists, but the passage presents its former site as an important archaeological and historical centre whose excavations were begun and later abandoned.
8th century – 10th century
Tafilalet and southeastern Maghrib
The Banu Midrar Kingdom of Sidjilmasa was a Sufrite state founded by the Miknasa Berbers at Sidjilmasa in 757. It controlled the Tafilalet oasis and extended toward the Draa. Sidjilmasa was a major Saharan trading centre, a stopping point on the gold route, and a commercial link between lands south of the Sahara, the Maghrib, and the East. The ruling Banu Wasul later moved from Sufrism to Ibadism and Sunnism before their final expulsion by the Banu Khazrun.
Continue exploring
The Story
The Banu Wasul, more commonly known as the Banu Midrar, founded their kingdom at Sidjilmasa in 757. The founders were Miknasa Berbers, and the kingdom was situated in the Tafilalet oasis, extending toward the Draa. Its position placed it within the commercial geography connecting the Maghrib with the lands south of the Sahara.
Sidjilmasa’s importance rested above all on trade. It served as a major Saharan trading centre and a resting place on the gold route, while also functioning as a focal point for exchanges among the southern Sahara, the Maghrib, and the East. The city’s prosperity was remembered through descriptions of its fine dwellings, or ksars.
The kingdom experienced major political and religious changes. When the future Fatimid caliph Ubayd Allah al-Mahdi entered Sidjilmasa disguised as a merchant, he was eventually imprisoned; in September 909, Abu Abd Allah al-Dai captured the town and freed him. The Banu Wasul later regained power and governed despite successive changes from Sufrism to Ibadism and finally Sunnism.
The Banu Midrar were eventually expelled by the Zanata Banu Khazrun, who were supported by the Umayyads of Spain. Sidjilmasa itself no longer exists, but the passage presents its former site as an important archaeological and historical centre whose excavations were begun and later abandoned.
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