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The Zenata are one of the main divisions of the medieval Berbers, along with Senhaja and Masmuda. They were traditionally nomads whose main home was the Middle Maghreb, an area stretching, roughly speaking, from the Rif to Chlef. They were a major political force in the area in the Middle Ages; the Marinids in Morocco and the Zayyanids of Tlemcen were of Zenati origin, and they were an important force in the Rustamid dynasty. They claimed an Arab (South Arabian) origin, for what most historians regard as political reasons, but this claim is not widely accepted.

Their varieties of Berber, collectively termed Zenati, are spread over a wide area; for this reason, several languages are termed "Zenati" or in some cases are spoken by people who call themselves Zenata. Among these are Beni Snassen (or Ait Iznassen in Tamazight), a tribe that lives in Northern Morocco and Algeria, mostly in the mountains near Berkane called the Beni Snassen mountains; Sened (now extinct), and some Saharan oasis languages. The Zenata are also recalled in several placenames across the Maghreb, notably Oued Zenati in Algeria.

The Zenata tribes entered Morocco from Tunisia in pre-Islamic times and grouped themselves with the tribes of Maghrawa, Miknasa and Banu Ifran. Some of these tribes surrendered quickly to the Muslims in the 7th century, while others, like the Jarawa under al-Kahina, put up a successful resistance for a long time.

In the 8th century most of the Zenata were Kharijites and took part in the Maysara revolt against Umayyad rule. The last Kharijite rebellion was in the 10th century under Abu Yazid, and was defeated by the Fatimids.

During the 10th century the Zenata were predominantly allied with the Caliphate of Cordoba, which fought for control of Morocco with the Fatimids. In the process the Zenata were pushed out of Morocco by the Sanhaja tribe, allies of the Fatimids.

However, in the 13th century the Zenata regained political importance with the Abdalwadids in western Algeria and the Marinids in Morocco. Finally they held sway over Morocco under the Wattasids in the 15th century.

• Zenata at Love To Know

Zenata in Sahara [1]

Zenata [2]