The Magician
She married three rulers and helped the fourth build an empire
She arrived in Marrakech before the city existed.
In 1068, Zineb al-Nafzawiya was already a widow — her first husband, the Emir of Aghmat, killed in battle against the Almoravid army sweeping north from the Sahara. She inherited his fortune. She also inherited offers of marriage from tribal chiefs across Morocco. She declined them all with the same answer: she would marry no one who did not intend to rule the entire country.
The Almoravid commander Abu Bakr ibn Umar heard about this woman who spoke of empires while others spoke of tribes. He married her in September 1068.
Two years later, Abu Bakr began building a new capital on a barren plain at the foot of the Atlas Mountains. Construction had barely begun when a messenger arrived: rebellion in the Sahara. Abu Bakr had to go south. The desert was no place for his wife.
Here is where the story turns. Abu Bakr divorced Zineb — standard practice among the Sanhaja Berbers before a long campaign — and instructed her to marry his cousin Yusuf ibn Tashfin, whom he was leaving as deputy.
She did. Three months later, as required by law. And then she made Yusuf an empire.
When Abu Bakr returned in 1072, expecting to resume his position, Zineb advised Yusuf on how to handle it. Meet him respectfully. Bring lavish gifts. Be firm but courteous. Make it clear that returning to power would mean civil war. Abu Bakr, who genuinely preferred the desert and genuinely hated bloodshed, went back south. He never returned to Marrakech. His name stayed on the coins until his death — a gesture of respect — but the empire belonged to Yusuf and Zineb.
The sources call her "al-qa'ima bi mulkihi" — the one in charge of her husband's realm. They called her "The Magician" for her skill in negotiations. A 12th-century text says "in her time there was none more beautiful or intelligent or witty." Another says Yusuf owed the conquest of the entire Maghreb to her advice.
The empire she helped build would stretch from Senegal to Spain. Her husband took the title "Amir al-Muslimin" — Commander of the Muslims — and crushed the Christian advance at the Battle of Sagrajas in 1086.
But perhaps more remarkable than the military victories was what happened to women after her. Under the Almoravids, princesses participated in state affairs. Women's education became normal. At least two women practiced as doctors. When the dynasty finally fell in 1147, Princess Fannu fought in the defense of the capital.
Zineb had set the precedent.
There is a Moroccan film about her: "Zaynab, the Rose of Aghmat" (2014). The rose who told suitors she would marry no one who didn't want to rule everything — and then helped her husband do exactly that.
She was handed from one ruler to the next like a kingdom. But the kingdom was hers to give.
Zineb arrived before the city existed. The Almoravids built what she imagined. Walk the architecture pilgrimage from the ruins of Aghmat to the walls she helped raise.
Tell us about your trip →The Facts
- •Married Emir of Aghmat (died in battle against Almoravids)
- •Married Abu Bakr ibn Umar September 1068
- •Abu Bakr began building Marrakech May 1070
- •Married Yusuf ibn Tashfin May 1071
- •Called "al-qa'ima bi mulkihi" — the one in charge of her husband's realm
- •Called "The Magician" for negotiation skills
- •Almoravid Empire stretched from Senegal to Spain
- •Battle of Sagrajas 1086 — defeated Alfonso VI of Castile
- •Film: "Zaynab, the Rose of Aghmat" (2014)
Sources
- Ibn Khaldun, 'Kitab al-Ibar' (14th century)
- Kitab al-Istibsar (anonymous, 12th century)
- Al-bayan al-mughrib (14th century)
- Oxford Reference, 'Zaynab, al-Nafzawiyya'
