The Role of Berber Tribes and Tribal Traditions in Formation and Development of Almohad Movement

Almohad movement started with Ibn Tumart’s activities in North Africa, and attracted a large number of followers from Maṣmuda tribes of Atlas Mountains. They were obedient to Mahdi and were guided by Ibn Tumart and were supposed to become true Muslims by End time. Although the remote Berber tribes already had a role in historical events of the Islamic world, they could never reign. Before long, they became rulers of the western Mediterranean and altered the course of history. The main purpose of this research is to study the way this general transformation occurred in North Africa, and the role played by tribes and tribal traditions in the formation of Almohad movement. A survey on sources shows that the structure of Berber tribal society not only was not an impediment to the establishment of Almohad government, but also acted like its driving force. Ibn Tumart and his successors did not destroy tribal society, but created a new structure of the movement. They adapted existing tribal customs and took advantage of what were deeply rooted in Berber experiences and traditions. The incorporation and cooperation of Berber tribes was one of the main reasons for formation of Almohad Empire and North African governments that under their dominance political systems were formed.