9th century – 11th century
Atlantic Sahara
The Djuddala were the westernmost principal branch of the desert Sanhaja, living in the Atlantic Sahara. Their leaders initiated the search for a religious teacher to improve Islamic practice among their people, leading to the arrival of Abdallah ibn Yasin. Initial support later turned into conflict when Ibn Yasin’s strict reform program collided with Djuddala social and political interests.
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The Story
The Djuddala occupied the western part of the desert Sanhaja world, in the Atlantic Sahara. They were one of three principal branches identified in the excerpt, alongside the Massufa and Lamtuna. Their position placed them near the western end of the Saharan environment connected to caravan routes and to the Islamic centers of Morocco and the wider Maghrib.
Djuddala leaders played a central role in the beginnings of the Almoravid movement. Yahya ibn Ibrahim, returning from pilgrimage to Mecca, sought a teacher who could instruct his people in Islamic religion and duties. Another tradition names Djawhar ibn Sakkam as the pilgrim who approached Waggag directly, but both accounts associate Djuddala initiative with the search for religious improvement.
Abdallah ibn Yasin initially worked under Yahya ibn Ibrahim’s protection and gained influence among the Djuddala. His demands for strict discipline, religious observance, and reform of unlawful practices eventually provoked resistance. After a conflict involving Djawhar ibn Sakkam and Djuddala nobles, Ibn Yasin was expelled, and the movement’s center of gravity shifted toward the Lamtuna.
9th century – 11th century
Atlantic Sahara
The Djuddala were the westernmost principal branch of the desert Sanhaja, living in the Atlantic Sahara. Their leaders initiated the search for a religious teacher to improve Islamic practice among their people, leading to the arrival of Abdallah ibn Yasin. Initial support later turned into conflict when Ibn Yasin’s strict reform program collided with Djuddala social and political interests.
Continue exploring
The Story
The Djuddala occupied the western part of the desert Sanhaja world, in the Atlantic Sahara. They were one of three principal branches identified in the excerpt, alongside the Massufa and Lamtuna. Their position placed them near the western end of the Saharan environment connected to caravan routes and to the Islamic centers of Morocco and the wider Maghrib.
Djuddala leaders played a central role in the beginnings of the Almoravid movement. Yahya ibn Ibrahim, returning from pilgrimage to Mecca, sought a teacher who could instruct his people in Islamic religion and duties. Another tradition names Djawhar ibn Sakkam as the pilgrim who approached Waggag directly, but both accounts associate Djuddala initiative with the search for religious improvement.
Abdallah ibn Yasin initially worked under Yahya ibn Ibrahim’s protection and gained influence among the Djuddala. His demands for strict discipline, religious observance, and reform of unlawful practices eventually provoked resistance. After a conflict involving Djawhar ibn Sakkam and Djuddala nobles, Ibn Yasin was expelled, and the movement’s center of gravity shifted toward the Lamtuna.
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