Zenata
Encyclopedia
Zenata were an ethnic group of North Africa
, who were technically an Eastern Berber
group and who are found in Tunisia
, Algeria
and Morocco
.
According to Ibn Khaldun
, a North African historian of the 14th century, there were Zenata tribes dispatched in all North Africa (current Morocco
, Libya
, Tunisia
, Algeria
), and some of them may have also lived in modern Egypt
as well.
According to Ibn Khaldoun, the Zenata are one of the main divisions of the medieval Berbers
, along with Senhaja and Masmuda
. He added that these tribes, traditionally nomad
s, were concentrated in Middle Maghreb
(part of the current Algeria); it is why he called "Middle Maghreb
" home of Zenata.
There have been some medieval hypothesis about the origin of this Berber group but were already rejected by Ibn Khaldun in the 14th-century. Furthermore they are not accepted by the modern historians such as Emile Felix Gautier
or Gabriel Camps
.
Zenata would come from Gaetulia
(Berber people group from North Africa)
According to some hypotheses, the Berber tribes of the Garamantes
would be also probably Zenati.
According to the very discussed hoypthesis of Ibn Khaldun, Madghacen
was the Patriarch of Zenata.
The oldest mausoleum (between -12 at -3 B.C) in current Algeria
is Madghacen
mausoleum (Madghis town near Batna
). Madghacen
was probably a Zenata king of Numidia
.
The Zenata were known for their horseriding skill.
The Spanish word for "horserider", jinete, is derived from their name.
, are spread over a wide area; for this reason, several languages are termed "Zenati" or in some cases are spoken by people who call themselves Zenata.
Among these are Beni Snassen (or Ait Iznassen in Tamazight), a tribe that lives in Northern Morocco
and Algeria
, mostly in the mountains near Berkane
called the Beni Snassen mountains; Sened
(now extinct), and some Sahara
n oasis languages.
The Zenata are also recalled in several placenames across the Maghreb, notably Oued Zenati
in Algeria
.
Also a GM
, and those right behind them in the area where later the Zenati came from, the Meshwesh
.
In the 8th century most Berbers and Zenata were Kharijites
and took part in the Maysara revolt
against Umayyad
rule. The last Kharijite rebellion was in the 10th century under Abu Yazid
, and was defeated by the Fatimids.
During the 10th century some Zenata from Ifriqiya
were predominantly allied with the Caliphate
of Cordoba
, which fought for control of a part of current Morocco with the Fatimids. In the process the Zenata were pushed out of Morocco by the Sanhaja
tribe, allies of the Fatimids.
In the 13th century the Zenata regained political importance with the Abdalwadid
s in present-day western Algeria
and eastern-Morocco
From the 13th to 16th century, in Morocco, the Zenata-based dynasties of the Marinid
s and the Wattasid
s ruled the country.
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
, who were technically an Eastern Berber
Berber people
Berbers are the indigenous peoples of North Africa west of the Nile Valley. They are continuously distributed from the Atlantic to the Siwa oasis, in Egypt, and from the Mediterranean to the Niger River. Historically they spoke the Berber language or varieties of it, which together form a branch...
group and who are found in Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
, Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
and Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
.
According to Ibn Khaldun
Ibn Khaldun
Ibn Khaldūn or Ibn Khaldoun was an Arab Tunisian historiographer and historian who is often viewed as one of the forerunners of modern historiography, sociology and economics...
, a North African historian of the 14th century, there were Zenata tribes dispatched in all North Africa (current Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
, Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
, Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
, Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
), and some of them may have also lived in modern Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
as well.
According to Ibn Khaldoun, the Zenata are one of the main divisions of the medieval Berbers
Berber people
Berbers are the indigenous peoples of North Africa west of the Nile Valley. They are continuously distributed from the Atlantic to the Siwa oasis, in Egypt, and from the Mediterranean to the Niger River. Historically they spoke the Berber language or varieties of it, which together form a branch...
, along with Senhaja and Masmuda
Masmuda
The Masmuda were a Berber tribal confederacy of Morocco and one of the largest in the Maghreb, along with the Zanata and the Sanhaja. They were composed of several sub-tribes: The Berghouatas, Ghumaras , Hintatas , Tinmelel, Hergha, Genfisa, Seksiwa, Gedmiwa, Hezerdja, Urika, Guerouanes, Bni...
. He added that these tribes, traditionally nomad
Nomad
Nomadic people , commonly known as itinerants in modern-day contexts, are communities of people who move from one place to another, rather than settling permanently in one location. There are an estimated 30-40 million nomads in the world. Many cultures have traditionally been nomadic, but...
s, were concentrated in Middle Maghreb
Maghreb
The Maghreb is the region of Northwest Africa, west of Egypt. It includes five countries: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Mauritania and the disputed territory of Western Sahara...
(part of the current Algeria); it is why he called "Middle Maghreb
Maghreb
The Maghreb is the region of Northwest Africa, west of Egypt. It includes five countries: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Mauritania and the disputed territory of Western Sahara...
" home of Zenata.
There have been some medieval hypothesis about the origin of this Berber group but were already rejected by Ibn Khaldun in the 14th-century. Furthermore they are not accepted by the modern historians such as Emile Felix Gautier
Émile Félix Gautier
Émile-Félix Gautier or Gauthier was a French geographer.He focused on northern Africa, especially Algiers, Madagascar, the Sahara desert, and the territories of French Africa....
or Gabriel Camps
Gabriel Camps
Gabriel Camps was a French historian, founder of the Encyclopédie berbère and considered a prestigious scholar in Berber historical studies.-Biography:Gabriel Camps was born in Misserghine...
.
Zenata would come from Gaetulia
Gaetulia
Gaetuli was the Romanised name of an ancient Berber tribe inhabiting Getulia, covering the desert region south of the Atlas Mountains, bordering the Sahara. Other sources place Getulia in pre-Roman times along the Mediterranean coasts of what is now Algeria and Tunisia, and north of the Atlas...
(Berber people group from North Africa)
According to some hypotheses, the Berber tribes of the Garamantes
Garamantes
The Garamantes were a Saharan people who used an elaborate underground irrigation system, and founded a prosperous Berber kingdom in the Fezzan area of modern-day Libya, in the Sahara desert. They were a local power in the Sahara between 500 BC and 700 AD.There is little textual information about...
would be also probably Zenati.
According to the very discussed hoypthesis of Ibn Khaldun, Madghacen
Madghacen
Madghacen or Medracen or Medghassen or Madghis also spelled Imadghassen, correct berber spelling imedghasen is a royal mausoleum-temple of the Berber Numidian Kings which stands near Batna city in Aurasius Mons in Numidia - Algeria.- History :Madghis was a king of independent kingdoms of the...
was the Patriarch of Zenata.
The oldest mausoleum (between -12 at -3 B.C) in current Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
is Madghacen
Madghacen
Madghacen or Medracen or Medghassen or Madghis also spelled Imadghassen, correct berber spelling imedghasen is a royal mausoleum-temple of the Berber Numidian Kings which stands near Batna city in Aurasius Mons in Numidia - Algeria.- History :Madghis was a king of independent kingdoms of the...
mausoleum (Madghis town near Batna
Batna City
Batna is the main city of Batna Province, Algeria. With a population of 285,800 it is the fifth largest city in Algeria. It is also one of the principal cities of the Chaoui area and is considered the capital of the Aures.-History:...
). Madghacen
Madghacen
Madghacen or Medracen or Medghassen or Madghis also spelled Imadghassen, correct berber spelling imedghasen is a royal mausoleum-temple of the Berber Numidian Kings which stands near Batna city in Aurasius Mons in Numidia - Algeria.- History :Madghis was a king of independent kingdoms of the...
was probably a Zenata king of Numidia
Numidia
Numidia was an ancient Berber kingdom in part of present-day Eastern Algeria and Western Tunisia in North Africa. It is known today as the Chawi-land, the land of the Chawi people , the direct descendants of the historical Numidians or the Massyles The kingdom began as a sovereign state and later...
.
The Zenata were known for their horseriding skill.
The Spanish word for "horserider", jinete, is derived from their name.
Language
Their varieties of Berber, collectively termed ZenatiZenati languages
The Zenati languages, named after the medieval Zenata tribe, are a subgroup of the Northern Berber language family, spoken in North Africa, proposed in Destaing They are distributed across the central Maghreb, from northeastern Morocco to just west of Algiers, and the northern Sahara, from...
, are spread over a wide area; for this reason, several languages are termed "Zenati" or in some cases are spoken by people who call themselves Zenata.
Among these are Beni Snassen (or Ait Iznassen in Tamazight), a tribe that lives in Northern Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
and Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
, mostly in the mountains near Berkane
Berkane
Berkane is a city in the northeastern Morocco in the area of Thrifa, limited by the Mediterranean to its north, the Kiss Oued and the wilaya of Oujda in the east, the wilaya of Nador in the west and the wilaya of Taourirt in the south. This common belongs to the wilaya of Oujda...
called the Beni Snassen mountains; Sened
Sened language
Sened is an extinct Berber language that was spoken in the nearby towns of Sened and Majoura in Southern Tunisia until the mid-twentieth century...
(now extinct), and some Sahara
Sahara
The Sahara is the world's second largest desert, after Antarctica. At over , it covers most of Northern Africa, making it almost as large as Europe or the United States. The Sahara stretches from the Red Sea, including parts of the Mediterranean coasts, to the outskirts of the Atlantic Ocean...
n oasis languages.
The Zenata are also recalled in several placenames across the Maghreb, notably Oued Zenati
Oued Zenati
Oued Zenati is a town and commune in Guelma Province, Algeria. According to the 1998 census it has a population of 27,254.-References:...
in Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
.
Also a GM
History
The Egyptians named the Berbers closest to them LibuLibu
The Libu were an ancient Berber tribe, from which the name Libya derives....
, and those right behind them in the area where later the Zenati came from, the Meshwesh
Meshwesh
The Meshwesh were an ancient Libyan tribe from beyond Cyrenaica where the Libu and Tehenu lived according to Egyptian references and who were probably of Central Berber ethnicity. Herodotus placed them in Tunisia and said of them to be sedentary farmers living in settled permanent houses as the...
.
In the 8th century most Berbers and Zenata were Kharijites
Kharijites
Kharijites is a general term embracing various Muslims who, while initially supporting the authority of the final Rashidun Caliph Ali ibn Abi Talib, the son-in-law and cousin of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, then later rejected his leadership...
and took part in the Maysara revolt
Berber Revolt
The Great Berber Revolt of 739/740-743 AD took place during the reign of the Umayyad Caliph Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik and marked the first successful secession from the Arab caliphate...
against Umayyad
Umayyad
The Umayyad Caliphate was the second of the four major Arab caliphates established after the death of Muhammad. It was ruled by the Umayyad dynasty, whose name derives from Umayya ibn Abd Shams, the great-grandfather of the first Umayyad caliph. Although the Umayyad family originally came from the...
rule. The last Kharijite rebellion was in the 10th century under Abu Yazid
Abu Yazid
Abū Yazīd Mukhallad ibn Kayrād , nicknamed Ṣāhib al-Himār "Possessor of the donkey", was a Kharijite Berber of the Banu Ifran tribe who led a rebellion against the Fatimids in Ifriqiya starting in 944...
, and was defeated by the Fatimids.
During the 10th century some Zenata from Ifriqiya
Ifriqiya
In medieval history, Ifriqiya or Ifriqiyah was the area comprising the coastal regions of what are today western Libya, Tunisia, and eastern Algeria. This area included what had been the Roman province of Africa, whose name it inherited....
were predominantly allied with the Caliphate
Caliphate
The term caliphate, "dominion of a caliph " , refers to the first system of government established in Islam and represented the political unity of the Muslim Ummah...
of Cordoba
Córdoba, Spain
-History:The first trace of human presence in the area are remains of a Neanderthal Man, dating to c. 32,000 BC. In the 8th century BC, during the ancient Tartessos period, a pre-urban settlement existed. The population gradually learned copper and silver metallurgy...
, which fought for control of a part of current Morocco with the Fatimids. In the process the Zenata were pushed out of Morocco by the Sanhaja
Sanhaja
The Sanhaja or Senhaja were once one of the largest Berber tribal confederations of the Maghreb, along with the Zanata and Masmuda...
tribe, allies of the Fatimids.
In the 13th century the Zenata regained political importance with the Abdalwadid
Abdalwadid
Zayyanids or Abd al-Wadids , or Banu Zayan, is the name of a Berber zenata dynasty in North Africa. The Zayyanids, whose capital was Tlemcen existed from 1235 to 1556...
s in present-day western Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
and eastern-Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
From the 13th to 16th century, in Morocco, the Zenata-based dynasties of the Marinid
Marinid
The Marinid dynasty or Benemerine dynasty was a Zenata Berber dynasty of Morocco. The Marinid dynasty overtook the Almohads in controlling Morocco in 1244. They controlled most of the Maghreb from the mid-14th century to the 15th century and supported the Kingdom of Granada in Al-Andalus in the...
s and the Wattasid
Wattasid
The Wattassids or Banû Watâs were a Berber dynasty of Morocco.Like the Marinids, they were of Berber Zenata descent. The two families were related, and the Marinids recruited many viziers from the Wattasids...
s ruled the country.