The historical context of the Banu Hilal migration to North Africa

Abstract

The Hilalian migrations refer to the movement of Arab tribes, primarily are the Banu Hilal tribe, and originally residing in the Arabian Peninsula. These migrations began in the 11th century AD, as the Hilalian tribes moved westward toward the Maghreb region, especially into present-day Tunisia, Algeria, and Libya. The migrations were encouraged by the Fatimid dynasty in Egypt to weaken the Berber tribes who opposed their rule. These movements significantly influenced the demographic and cultural structure of the region by introducing Arab culture, customs, and played a crucial role in spreading the Arabic language and its dialects throughout the Maghreb. The Hilalian migrations were a key factor in shaping the cultural and social identity of the Maghreb and left a lasting impact on the social, linguistic, and historical fabric of the region.