Wattasids

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The Wattasids ( Moroccan Tamazight ⵉⵡⵟⵟⴰⵙⵉⵢⵏ Iwṭṭasiyen , Arabic وطاسيون, DMG Waṭṭāsīyūn ) were an Islamic Berber dynasty. As regents of the last Merinid sultan, they took over de facto power in Morocco in the 1420s , which they ruled - completely independently from 1472 - until their own overthrow by the Saadians in 1554.

Domain of the Wattasids

The Banu Ouattas (بنو وطاس / Banū Waṭṭās ) were Zanata- Berber and related to the Merinids . In the 13th century they had moved from Tripolitania to eastern Algeria, where they had settled. Under the Merinids, the Wattasids soon gained influence and were able to secure their dominant position after the overthrow of Abu Inan Faris (1358). Even if they did not eliminate the Merinid dynasty, their rulers were entirely dependent on the Wattasids. After Abdalhaqq II. (1421–1465) had operated in vain to overthrow the Wattasids, they gained rule in Morocco in 1472 under Mohammed ach-Chaykh al-Mahdi .

Despite the disempowerment of the Merinids, the Wattasids failed to pacify Morocco. Their authority over the Bedouin and Berber tribes was little. Also the conquest of the ports on the Atlantic by the Portuguese could not be prevented. An armistice had to be concluded with Portugal for 20 years after they had conquered Tangier in 1471 . Also some principalities of the Meriniden and Idrisiden in the Rifgebirge could not be subjugated for a long time.

In opposition to the powerless policy of the Wattasids towards Portugal, the Saadians under Cherif Abu Abdallah al-Qaim (1505–1517) built their own sphere of power in southern Morocco as a basis for the fight against the Portuguese. Although the Saadians were temporarily stopped by the Wattasids under the regent Bou Hassoun , they gained broad popular support through their successful fight against the Portuguese and conquered Fez in 1549 , ending the rule of the Wattasids.

Ruler list

literature

  • A. Cour: La dynastie marocaine des Beni Wattas (1420–1554). Constantine 1920.
  • Ulrich Haarmann : History of the Arab World. Edited by Heinz Halm . 4th revised and expanded edition. CH Beck, Munich 2001, ISBN 3-406-47486-1 ( Beck's historical library ).