Benevolent Strangers: the Beginnings of Granada as a Seat of Power

What is it about?

The early 11th century was a turbulent time for Muslim Spain, known as Al-Andalus. The once powerful Caliphate of Córdoba collapsed, leading to a long and brutal civil war that saw the rise of many smaller dynasties. One of these emerging powers was the Zirids, a prominent Berber clan from North Africa, who became involved in the turmoil in Spain. The Zirids are distinct from other Andalusi dynasties of the period because they were the only ones to establish their own seat of power by founding the city of Granada, rather than taking over a pre-existing city. This decision sets them apart in history, especially because the last Zirid ruler of Granada, prince 'Abd Allah b. Buluqqin, left behind a detailed memoir. His book provides a unique behind-the-scenes look at his family's history and the political landscape of the time. In 'Abd Allah's account, the Zirids arrived in Al-Andalus as complete outsiders, with no intention of harming the local population. Initially, they served the Umayyad Caliphate before it was overthrown. Eventually, the Zirids decided to found Granada to protect the people from the chaos of the civil war. This origin story, portraying the Zirids as "benevolent strangers" from North Africa who safeguarded the oppressed people of Elvira, is central to 'Abd Allah's narrative of his family's political legacy.

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Photo by Pelayo Arbués on Unsplash

Photo by Pelayo Arbués on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Much of the research on the dynasties that succeeded the Umayyad Caliphate of Córdoba in Spain concentrates on the ways in which they tried to imitate the caliphs or relate to the caliphate in other ways. I try to show that the Zirids of Granada were exceptional in this regard, as they might have had their own political narrative and "foundational myth", independent from the Cordoban caliphate.