Feudalism in Africa from the Mid-6th to the End of the 9th Century AH [900–1160 / 1494–1160 AD]

Abstract

This study examines the feudal system in Africa during the period from 900–1160 AH / 1494–1160 AD. This was a historical stage that witnessed important political and economic transformations with the rise of the Almohad state. The research continues by analyzing the nature, form, and functions of feudalism, and its role in the development of the Maghrebi feudal system. The study is based on the premise that feudalism in Africa was not merely a method of granting land in exchange for military service. Rather, it was a complex system linked to the consolidation of the political state and its orientation toward establishing power and organizing relations with the army and local tribes. It was also a means of exploiting agricultural resources and ensuring economic production. The study clarifies that feudalism emerged during the Almohad era, as the state relied on granting land and fiefs to certain military and tribal groups to ensure loyalty and stability. With the development of the private ownership system, it became more closely linked to the state's political and administrative structure, and appeared in the form of sectors for princes, state officials, and the elite. The research also highlights the types of feudalism in Africa, including military, administrative, and productive feudalism, as well as feudalism linked to fiefs. It examines their relationship to land ownership, methods of independence, and their impact on farmers and agricultural production relations.

The study relies on historical sources and Maliki jurisprudential books to uncover issues related to land ownership, agricultural rights, and the rights associated with the prevalent feuds. The study concludes that feudalism was a key factor in shaping the Maghrebi feudal structure and linking politics and agricultural wealth. It also reflects the specificity of the African experience in which the military factor intersected with the tribal and agricultural factors.