The Almoravid dynasty was not necessarily founded with one leader or family rising to the top. The word “Almoravid” is derived from the Arabic word, al-Murabit, meaning "one who is ready for battle at a fortress.” The Almoravid Movement was founded by an Amazigh theologian named Abdallah ibn Yasin.[1] In 1035-6 Yahya ibn Ibrahim, leader of the Godala (Sijilmasa Confederation) undertook the Hajj (pilgrimage).[2] Ibrahim was an ambitious man who desired to unite the Amazigh and control the Trans-Saharan Trade route. Between 1035 and 1039 Ibrahim met with Abu Imran al-Fasi, an important figure in the development of Malikism. Ibrahim wanted his help spreading Islam to his homeland. Al-Fasi directed him to one of his students, who in turn directed him to Abdallah ibn Yasin.[3]

 

Yasin began teaching the fundamentals of Maliki Islam to the Sijilmasa but would become too radical over time. Yahya ibn Ibrahim died and Yasin was banished by the Godala. The Lamtuna tribe leader Yahya ibn Umar invited Yasin to continue his work in their region.[4] The Lamtuna were more accepting of his teachings and became the core members of the original Almoravids. The Almoravids would defeat the Sijilmasa and the Awdaghusht in 1054 and 1055, securing the monopoly of the Trans Saharan Trade Route. In 1055 Yahya ibn Umar died and military leadership was given to his brother Abu Bakr ibn Umar.[5] With the help of his cousin, Yusuf ibn Tashufin, Umar captured the Dra and the Sus valleys. In 1058 they captured Aghmat in the Atlas Mountains. The next target was the formidable Barghawata along the coast. In July 1059 Abdallah ibn Yasin died fighting against the Barghawata.

 

The Almoravids continued to expand their reach with the capture of Fes in 1063, Tlemcen in 1075, Tangier from 1078-1079, and Ceuta in 1084.[6] The Almoravid Caliphate was split into two separate factions soon after the founding of Marrakesh in 1070. Abu Bakr ibn Umar was called down to the south to deal with rebellion. Yusuf ibn Tashufin was left in charge of the northern region. When Abu Bakr returned around 1073 Yusuf refused to cede command. Umar did not push the issue and remained an important leader amongst the Almoravids. He attempted to expand south and fought against the Kingdom of Ghana. Around 1087-88 Abu Bakr died of unknown circumstances.[7] Yusuf ibn Tashufin turned the Almoravid movement into a dynasty.

 

Sources:

Norris, H. T. New Evidence on the Life of 'Abdullah B. Yasin and the Origins of the Almoravid Movement. The Journal of African History 12, no. 2 (1971), 255-268.

Rivas, Camilo Gómez. Law and the Islamization of Morocco Under the Almoravids: The Fatwās of Ibn Rushd Al-Jadd to the Far Maghrib. Boston: Brill, 2014

 

[1] H. T. Norris, New Evidence on the Life of 'Abdullah B. Yasin and the Origins of the Almoravid Movement, The Journal of African History 12, no. 2 (1971), 255.

[2] Camilo Gómez Rivas, Law and the Islamization of Morocco Under the Almoravids: The Fatwās of Ibn Rushd Al-Jadd to the Far Maghrib (Boston: Brill, 2014), 10.

[3] Camilo Gómez Rivas, 11.

[4] Camilo Gómez Rivas, 12.

[5] Camilo Gómez Rivas, 12 – 13.

[6] Camilo Gómez Rivas, 13 – 14.

[7] Camilo Gómez Rivas, 14 – 15.

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