Masmuda

Part of a series on the
History of Morocco
Pre-Islamic Morocco Prehistoric Morocco Mauretania Tingitana
Early Islamic Morocco (7th–11th century AD) Umayyad Caliphate Berber Revolt Emirate of Nekor Emirate of Sijilmasa Barghwata Confederacy Idrisid dynasty
Empire of Morocco (since 11th century AD) Almoravid dynasty Almohad dynasty Marinid dynasty Wattasid dynasty Saadi dynasty Alaouite dynasty
European Protectorate (1912–56) Algeciras Conference Treaty of Fez French protectorate Spanish protectorate Tangier Protocol Rif War · Zaian War Opposition to European control
Modern Morocco (1956–present) Ifni War Sand War 1971 coup attempt 1972 coup attempt Years of Lead Madrid Accords Green March Western Sahara conflict 2011–2012 protests
Related topics 1970s in Morocco 1980s in Morocco 1990s in Morocco 2000s in Morocco Economic history Military history Postal history Imperial cities
Morocco portal
v t e

The Masmuda were a Berber tribal confederacy of Morocco and one of the largest in the Maghreb, along with the Zanata and the Sanhaja.^[1] They were composed of several sub-tribes: The Berghouatas, Ghomaras (Ghomarids), Hintatas (Hafsids), Tin Malel, Hergha, Genfisa, Seksiwa, Gedmiwa, Hezerdja, Urika, Guerouanes, Bni M'tir, Hezmira, Regraga, Haha les Banou Maghus, Gilawa and others.

History

The Masmuda settled large parts of Morocco, and were largely sedentary and practised agriculture. The residence of the Masmuda aristocracy was Aghmat in the High Atlas. From the 10th century the Berber tribes of the Sanhaja and Zanata groups invaded the lands of the Masmuda, followed from the 12th century onwards by Arab Bedouins (see Banu Hilal).

Ibn Tumart united the Masmuda tribes at the beginning of the 12th century and founded the Almohad movement, which subsequently unified the whole of the Maghreb and Andalusia.^[2] After the downfall of the Almohads, however, the particularism of the Masmuda peoples prevailed once more, as a result of which they lost their political significance.

Sub-tribes

The author of the book "Mafakhir al-Barbar" (roughly translates as: The prides of the Berbers), cites the sub-tribes of the Masmuda as follows:^[3]

• Hhaha
• Regraga
• Ourika
• Hezmira
• Guedmiwa
• Henfisa
• Hezerga
• Doukkala
• Hentata (or Hintata)
• Beni Magus
• Tehlawa

References