فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Rabat – November 12, 2025 – The Ghiyatha tribe is one of the ancient Berber tribes that settled in the mountains of Taza and its surroundings in far Morocco, and is historically classified within the great Batri house of Madghis al-Abtar, with close ties to the Nefzawa, Zenata, and Miknasa tribes. It has been covered by numerous Arabic and European sources, allowing for an accurate picture of its origins and territories.
Yahya Ibn Khaldun: Ghiyatha Brothers of Walhasa from the Descendants of Badha
Yahya Ibn Khaldun confirms in his book “Bughyat al-Ruwwad fi Dhikr al-Muluk min Bani Abd al-Wad” that Ghiyatha descends from Badha ibn Rajih ibn Madghis al-Abtar, who is the brother of Daris (father of Zenata, Miknasa, and Jaznaya), Dariy (father of Nefza and Sumata), and Yahya (father of Nefusa and Melila). He thus gathers under the ancestor Rajih all of Zenata, Nefzawa, and Miknasa, indicating the unity of the Batri origin of these branches.
Ibn Khaldun: Walhasa (Brothers of Ghiyatha) Among the Sections of Nefzawa
Abd al-Rahman Ibn Khaldun in “Kitab al-Ibar” lists the Walhasa tribe – brothers of Ghiyatha – among the sections of Nefzawa, alongside Ghassasa, Marnisa, Zuhayla, Sumata, and Zatima, confirming that Nefzawa are the sons of Tatuwaft ibn Nefzaw ibn Luwa al-Akbar ibn Zahik.
Ismail Ibn al-Ahmar: Ghiyatha and Walhasa Within Greater Zenata
Ismail Ibn al-Ahmar in “Rawdat al-Nasrin” expands the Zenata classification to include most Batr sections, placing Walhasa (and Ghiyatha by implication) alongside Lawata, Nefzawa, Kumiya, Maghrawa, Banu Yifran, and Tajin, reflecting the comprehensive view of Zenata as an inclusive framework for all these tribes.
Marmol Carvajal and Abu Ras al-Nasiri: Ghiyatha Territories Around Taza
Spanish geographer Marmol Carvajal (16th century) describes Mount Matghara near Taza as the home of “brave people from Zenata who fought the King of Fez extensively.” As for Muhammad Abu Ras al-Nasiri in “Aja’ib al-Asfar,” he confirms that Ghiyatha from Banu Yifran moved to northern far Morocco “near Taza and the people of Tadla,” alongside their brothers Maghrawa.
Al-Idrisi: Ghiyatha Speaking Arabic Since the 12th Century
Al-Idrisi mentions in “Nuzhat al-Mushtaq” that Ghiyatha is among the Berber tribes around Fez that “speak Arabic,” alongside Banu Yusuf, Fandilawa, Bahlul, Zawawa, and Majasa, indicating early Arabization of this tribe.
Ibn Khaldun on Miknasa: Overlapping Territories with Ghiyatha
Ibn Khaldun defines the territories of Miknasa on the Moulouya River “from its source at Sijilmasa to its mouth in the sea, and what lies between in the areas of Taza and Tasul,” which are territories that completely overlap with Ghiyatha territories, confirming the proximity and tribal overlap.
Historical Conclusion
Sources agree that Ghiyatha is a Batri Berber tribe descending from Badha ibn Rajih ibn Madghis al-Abtar, sharing origins with Nefzawa, Zenata, and Miknasa, with its classification sometimes within Nefzawa (Ibn Khaldun) and sometimes within greater Zenata (Ismail Ibn al-Ahmar and Ibn Hawqal). It historically settled in the mountains of Taza and its surroundings, was Arabized early, and its traces remain present in geographical names and local genealogies.
