BARGHAWATAH

Berber tribal confederation that created a religio-political state in Morocco (8th12th century). The Barghawatah, members of the Masmudah family inhabiting the plain between the Moyen Atlas and the Atlantic, had joined the Miknasah and Ghumarah Berbers in the Kharijite revolt against the Umayyad caliph in 740742, seizing Tangier and defeating Umayyad armies from Spain in the Battle of the Nobles (740). Shortly afterward the rebellion was suppressed, but a new leader, Salih ibn Tarif, emerged in 748749 among the Barghawatah and presented himself as a prophet, teaching a mixture of Islamic, pagan, and astrological beliefs. His successors propagated this doctrine throughout the confederation. In the reign of Abu Ghufayl (885913) the confederation became firmly established in Barghawatah territory and aided in the creation of a highly defensive state that also proved to be commercially prosperous. By the mid-10th century the Barghawatah were influential enough to maintain diplomatic relations with the Umayyads of Crdoba, despite the heretical beliefs of the Berbers and the rigid orthodoxy of the Muslim court. Relations between the two powers were strained by the century's end, however, and the Barghawatah were beset by two invasions from Spain (977978; 998999) and an attack by an agent of the Fatimids from the east (982983). The Barghawatah successfully met these incursions but, in the 11th century, were conquered by their Berber neighbours, the Banu Ifran, allies of the Umayyads. The Almoravid invasion followed in 1059, and, though the Barghawatah killed the Almoravid spiritual leader 'Abd Allah ibn Yasin in battle, they themselves were soundly defeated. The remaining Barghawatah did not survive the Almohad assault and disappeared after their defeat in 114849.