African Kingdoms

Murabit (Almoravid) Sultans of Mauritania
AD 1061 - 1147

The Almoravids (or in Arabic, Murabit (singular)), were a Berber dynasty from the Sahara that spread over a wide area of north-western Africa and the Iberian peninsula during the eleventh century. Under this dynasty the Moorish empire was extended over present-day Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania, Gibraltar, Tlemcen (in Algeria) and a great part of what is now Senegal and Mali in the south, and Spain and Portugal to the north in Europe.

1062 - 1076

The Almoravids conquer south Morocco and make Marrakesh their capital in 1062. A further fourteen years of 'holy war' against Old Ghana ends with the capture and burning of their capital.

1061 - 1107

Yusuf ibn Tashufin

1086

Yusuf crosses over into Spain, and defeats Alfonso VI at Zallaqa.

1107 - 1142

Ali ibn Yusuf

1142 - 1146

Tashufîn ibn Alî

1146

Ibrahum ibn Tashufîn

1146 - 1147

Ishaq ibn Ali

1147

The Almohads of Morocco conquer Mauritania.