The Banu Ghaniya Movement in Ifriqiya: Intellectual, Political, and Military Dimensions Through Historical Sources

Abstract

The Banu Ghaniya movement is considered one of the most prominent political and military movements that emerged in the Islamic Maghreb during the Almohad period. It represented a continuation of Almoravid resistance following the fall of the Almoravid dynasty at the hands of the Almohads. The emergence of this movement was linked to the Banu Ghaniya family, which maintained its affiliation with the Almoravid cause. The family initially established the Balearic Islands as its first base of operations, before moving to Ifriqiya, where it entered into a prolonged conflict with the Almohad state.. This study examines the Banu Ghaniya movement in Ifriqiya by analyzing the circumstances of its emergence, the motives behind its relocation to Ifriqiya, and the political and military strategies it adopted in confronting the Almohads. The study also highlights the movement’s role in exploiting the internal conditions of Ifriqiya, characterized by tribal and political disturbances, and its attempt to establish an independent sphere of influence in the region.