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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | The Kahina: Legendary Material in the Accounts of the Jewish Berber Queen |
Author: | Roth, Norman |
Year: | 1982 |
Periodical: | Maghreb Review |
Volume: | 7 |
Issue: | 5-6 |
Period: | September-December |
Pages: | 122-125 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Maghreb |
Subjects: | Islamic history biographies (form) History and Exploration Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) Religion and Witchcraft Women's Issues |
Abstract: | Relatively little is known about the fiercely independent Berber tribes of the medieval Maghreb, a people which resisted 'Arabisation' to a degree not found elsewhere in the spread of Islamic civilization in the classical period. The most important source remains the history of the Berbers by Ibn Khaldun. In his account, Ibn Khaldun discusses certain tribes of Jewish origin and tells the story of the 'Kahina' who fought valiantly to save her tribe and country from the invaders and was eventually defeated and killed (about 693 C.E.). The present author closely examines the authenticity of the story of the Kahina and her Jewishness and unravels the historical realities from the mythical and legendary elements. Notes. |