African Kingdoms

Trarza (Mauritanian Tribal State) (Africa)
c.AD 1640 - 1960?

West African States All Modern States All African States Early Africa (Intro) Egypt

The continent of Africa forms a vast collection of varying communities and cultures. North Africa is very different to sub-Saharan Africa, but Mauritania sits across the two boundaries. Located at the western end of the Sahara, it has absorbed a great deal of North African influence whilst also being deeply connected with West Africa by being situated at the north-western corner of this geographical divide.

The Mauritania region was converted to Islam in the ninth century, probably through contact with the powerful Aghlabids of Ifriqiyya, but the various tribes here were rarely united or powerful. An interlude of about a century in the typical in-fighting was the result of the rise of the native Almoravid empire. This united the entire north-western corner of Africa from AD 1061 onwards but it was overwhelmed by the rival Almohads in the mid-twelfth century.

The Trarza tribal confederation formed in what is now Mauritania during the seventeenth century. Its rise as a tribal state occurred in the aftermath of the sweep to power by the Almoravids, but details are hard to come by. It was located in south-western Mauritania, bordered by the River Senegal and French Senegal to its south. Contemporary states included Brakna and Taganit.

The state's paramount chiefs were classed as emirs, meaning 'princes' in the Islamic empire's ranking categories of local rulers. Information about actual rulers are minimal and not especially detailed. Little is known about any point in the confederation's history although the lengths of rule of each of the emirs is better known for this particular state.

This state survived into a north-western corner of West Africa which had experienced regional boom and bust under the Almoravids between 1061-1147, but which had since lapsed into regional obscurity following the Almoravid eclipse by the Almohads after 1147.

Principal author(s): Page created: Page last updated:

(Information by Peter Kessler and the John De Cleene Archive, from The Cambridge Ancient History, John Boardman, N G L Hammond, D M Lewis, & M Ostwald (Eds), from The History of Islam (Vol 2), Akbar Shah Najeebabadi (Revised Edition), from The New Atlas of African History, G S P Freeman-Grenville (Rex Collins, London, 1991), from Times Atlas of World History (Maplewood, 1979), from Urban Africa; Histories in the Making (Africa's Urban Past), David M Anderson & Richard Rathbone (Eds), from African States and Rulers, John Stewart (Third Edition, 2006), and from External Links: Saharan and trans-Saharan contacts and trade in the Roman era, Dr Caitlin R Green, and Encyclopaedia Britannica, and Mauritania (Rulers.org).)

c.1640 - 1660

Emir of Trarza.

c.1660 - 1703

Emir of Trarza.

1703 - 1727

Emir of Trarza.

1727 - c.1758

Emir of Trarza.

c.1758 - ?

Emir of Trarza.

?

Emir of Trarza.

? - 1795

Emir of Trarza.

1795

Having been founded as a tribal confederation around 1640, Trarza is now ruled by the Awlad Hassan dynasty (if it has not already been ruled by them). They are notable for their resistance to French colonial occupation.

The city of Sijilmasa in southern Morocco was one of the very first Almoravid targets for attack and defeat in the building of their empire

1795 - 1800

Emir of Trarza.

1800 - 1827

Not the same as the above entry. Emir of Trarza.

1827 - 1860

Son? Emir of Trarza. Resisted French occupation.

1860 - 1871

Son? Emir of Trarza.

1871 - 1873

Son of Umar? Emir of Trarza.

1873 - 1886

Son of Muhammad? Emir of Trarza (to Oct 1886).

1886

Son? Emir of Trarza (Oct-Dec only).

1886 - 1893

Son of Umar? Emir of Trarza (Dec on).

1893 - 1905

Son of Ali? Emir of Trarza.

before 1903

Rival emir of Trarza.

1905 - 1918

The position of ruler of Taganit is vacant during this period. The likelihood is that the French colonial authorities suppress the state or refuse to allow a successor to be selected, at least until the end of the First World War forces changes to be made.

Spahis formed light cavalry regiments for the French armed forces during the Great War, being recruited from as far afield as Algeria, Tunisia, and Turkey, with a regiment of them surviving in today's French armed forces (albeit with horses swapped for tanks)

At the same time, the regional tribal confederations of Adrar and Trarza come under French control from 1900-1920. Mauritania has already become a French civil territory (in 1904), part of French West Africa.

1905 - 1917

Son of Muhammad Fadil. Emir of Trarza.

1917 - 1932

Son. Emir of Trarza.

1932 - 1950

The position in connection with the ruling nobility remains obscure during this period. The title of emir may remain vacant until 1958 and the potential accession of Muhammad Fadil wuld 'Umayr during the transition towards national independence.

1948?

The fate of Sidi Ahmad wuld Ahmad 'Ayda of Adrar is unknown, as is that of the ruler of Taganit. Mauritania has already become a French colony in 1920, switching to a French overseas territory on 27 October 1946.

Mauritania in 1979 signed an agreement with the so-called 'Polisario Front' regarding its terminated presence in Western Sahara

The post-Second World War era is a time of reforms within the French colonial system, leading to increasing internal autonomy and a move away from direct rule. This particular region remains an overseas territory until modern Mauritania achieves full independence in 1960.

1958 - 1960?

Emir of Trarza? Position unclear.

1960

Mauritania achieves full independence on 28 November 1960 following two years of autonomy under the purview of French high commissioners as the colonial structure of French West Africa is gradually dismantled.