The Emergence of the Almoravid State (1056 ) (Naming and Origins Issue)

Abstract This article addresses the emergence of the Almoravid state, the origin of their name, and their lineage. The state began as a reformist movement led by Abdullah bin Yasin among the Sanhaja Berbers. Their name, derived from "ribat" (guarding or jihad), reflected their dedication to Islam. Initially followers of the Maliki school, they later evolved into a powerful state that unified North Africa and spread Islam into West Africa. The Sanhaja tribes, especially the Lemtune, were known as "Al-Mulaththamun" (the veiled ones), a feature tied to cultural and social customs. The veil symbolized their identity, with various theories explaining its adoption, ranging from pre-Islamic traditions to practical and symbolic purposes during their reform movement. The Almoravid origins are debated. Some sources claim they descended from the Himyar tribe of Arabia, while others connect them to the Sanhaja Berbers. These tribes, including the Lemtune, Judala, and Mesufa, controlled the Sahara region, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Sahara, dominating key trade routes in North and West Africa. The Almoravids rose to power by uniting the fragmented Sanhaja tribes under leaders like Yahya bin Ibrahim al-Judali and Abdullah bin Teyfat al-Lemtuni, recognizing the importance of tribal unity. After Yahya’s death in 448 AH (1056 CE), leadership passed to the Lemtune tribe, highlighting internal tensions, particularly over military authority. After Abdullah bin Yasin’s martyrdom in 451 AH (1059 CE), Abu Bakr bin Omar took control, founding Marrakech in 454 AH (1062 CE) as a strategic center, focusing on religious reform, military expansion, and unified Islamic governance.