The Awraba were a
Berber tribe in
North Africa which formed part of the
Baranis confederation. They were known for playing a primary role in the resistance to the
Muslim conquest of the Maghreb during the 7th century, particularly during the rebellion led by their king
Kusaila.[1] After this event, having mostly converted to Islam, they were known for welcoming
Idris I, an
'Alid refugee fleeing the
'Abbasids to the east, and helping him establish the
Idrisid dynasty.[2]
Origins
The Awraba are from western Algeria and probably originate from the
Constantine region.[3][4] In antiquity Cherchell and Algiers were the western and eastern limits of the territory of the Awraba.[5] They are described as authentic descendants of the ancient
Numidians.[6] At the time of the arrival of the Arabs, the Awraba were situated in the regions of the Zab and the western Aures.[4] After the death of Kusaila, the Awraba were driven out of the central Maghreb and migrated to Volubilis, these Awraba called themselves descendants of the Awraba of the Aures.[7] The Awraba were also later found to occupy the region of Tobna and the Zab during the 9th century.[4]
References
^Deverdun, Gaston (1980).
"Awraba". The Encyclopaedia of Islam, New Edition: Supplement. Brill. pp. 102–103.
ISBN978-90-04-06167-5.
^
abcLazarev, Grigori.
"Quelques hypothèses sur les dynamiques de peuplement du Rif occidental." Critique économique 30 (2013): 65-97. “
P.149: “Cette confédération reprit, contre Hassan Ibn No'man, la lutte engagée par les Awraba, confédération de tribus guerrières cavalières (des cavaliers «<numides »?) qui, au moment de l'arrivée des Arabes, occupaient les régions du Zab et l'ouest de l'Awras”
P.148: “Ce furent tout d'abord des composantes des grandes confédérations qui commandèrent les premières résistances à la conquête arabe, les Awraba, probablement originaires du Constantinois”