The Houara Tribe in Egypt during the Circassian Mamluk Period (784-923 H/ 1382-1517 A.D.).

Résumé

This paper studies the history of one of the most important Maghrebian tribes that moved to Egypt at the beginning of the Fatimid period. The Magherbians were the basis of strength for the Fatimids and they played a vital role in Egypt’s political events just like any of the other great tribes. However, the role they played began to wither due to the control of the Laguatan tribe over the lower province especially al-Buhayirah. Thus, during the Circassian Mamluk Period, the Magherbian tribes moved to upper Egypt. Afterwards, their role in Egypt that they had once played began to re-emerge and they took control of Arab and Maghrebian tribes in that area. The tribes’ princes, like the one from the tribe of Bani Omar, were given the title, “Sheikh,” as a sign of authority and leadership. A fraction of this tribe were part of the Mamluki army.

In regards to the Houara tribe during the Circassian Mamluk period, they had moved to upper Egypt. They were divided into two groups: one was lower Houara that was headed by Bani Mazin and Bani Gharib, and the other was upper Houara that was headed by Bani Omar. The latter was the strongest of the tribes and controlled the whole of the upper region. The state depended on this part of the tribe to be its support in ruling the upper lands and to keep the southern borders secure. Nevertheless, from time to time the tribes and the state would clash due to conflicting interests.

This paper illustrates the branches of the Houara tribe within upper Egypt, and the relationship between the state and the tribe until the end of the Mamluki era and the rise of the Ottomans in Egypt. Next, the paper examines the cultural aspects in the Houara tribe. It describes the appearance of the Sheikh, some of the tribe’s traditions, as well as the level of interest the princes’ had in economics in all fields such as agriculture, industry, trade, construction, and scientific activity.