Zenata
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Maghreb | |
| Languages | |
| Zenati · Maghrebi Arabic | |
| Religion | |
| Islam |
The Zenata (Berber: Iznaten, ⵉⵣⵏⴰⵜⴻⵏ) are a Berber population inhabiting the Maghreb. They speak the Zenati languages.
Origin
The Zenata are descendants of older Berber groups. Among these early populations were the Mauretanias, Numidians and Gaetulians of Northeast Africa.[1][2]
History
The Zenata are nomadic or sedentary and are the builders of cities.[3] Rachid Bellil said: "The disappearance of Zenata to the eighth century, them covering a quarter of North Africa, is one of the most extraordinary facts the Maghreb has ever known. The similarity and living area brings rapid Arabization, accelerated by the desire to ennoble Zenata, published Arabs."[4] Arab tribes of Banu Hilal and Banu Sulaym assimilated the Berbers.
See also
External links
- Rachid Bellil, Université d'Alger. "Les Zénètes du Gourara d'hier à aujourd'hui (Sahara Zenatas)". Retrieved December 9, 2012.
- Norman Roth. Jews, Visigoths, and Muslims in Medieval Spain: Cooperation and Conflict. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
References
- ^ Recueil des notices et mémoires de la Société archélologique de la province de Constantine. 1874.
- ^ Gautier, Émile Félix (1952). Le passé de l'Afrique du Nord: Les siècles obscurs.
- ^ Le Magrib central à l'époque des Zirides: recherches d'archéologie et d'histoire Par Lucien Golvin, page 33
- ^ Les oasis du Gourara (Sahara algérien) Par Rachid Bellil, page 77
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