Ibn Marwan

Part 2 - Muwallad Heroes

In the previous post, I explained why the Muwallads were becoming frustranted and even angry with the Arabs, today I tell you who some of these men were, which actions they took to fight against the Arab dominion and how they attained political power during the 9th century and finally, how they are remembered today.

Ibn Maruane

Abde Arrahmane ibne Maruane was born into an indigenous familly from the region of what is today’s Portugal, who professed the Islamic religion. Maruane was himself a devoted Sufi Muslim, and he lived and died as such. Because his familly was indigenous, he was known to the Arabs as Muwallad, which means son of a non-arab mother. Although his familly was problably from Portugal, they were now living in Merida where they were influent Muwallads, so much so, that his father was able to attain the position of governor, and later Marwan himself was able to move to Cordoba to serve in the Emir’s army¹. Whike he was in Cordoba something happened that turned the general Haxime ibne Abde Alaziz into his enemy. It is said that one day, while Marwan was talking to the vizirs, Haxime told him that a dog was more valuable than him and ordered him to be flogged in the head² . It seems that Haxime wanted to humilliate Marwan to destroy the influence he had on the Muwallad community, but he created a powerful enemy instead.

In 874, after having been humiliated, Marwan left Cordoba together with his allies from Merida and occupied the fort of Alange in Merida. There they suffered a terrible defeat at the hands of the Emir: a siege was mounted, no water entered the fort, war machines were used and, after three months, Ibne Marwan had to recognise his defeat³. He ask for the Emir’s forgiveness and he was allowed to stay in the small village of Badajoz. According to Jorge de Alarcão, at this time Marwan would have been close to 50 years old⁴. But as time passed, Badajoz started to grow: Marwan transformed it into a fortress and his renown started to attract many people from Merida.

It was in 876 that the son of the Emir was sent in a campaign against him. After having received the news the Galician, as be was known, left Badajoz and entered in today’s Portugal5.

The Emir’s son and Haxime continued to pursue Marwan, but now the Muwallad was not alone: the Arab general was captured and his men destroyed with the assistance of Sadun Xurumbaqi, another legendary Muwallad, and the Christian allies from the North of the Iberian Peninsula.

But, according to Arab historians, Ibne Marwan did not see the capture of Haxime as an opportunity for vengeance, instead he was generous and benefited him in many ways. He was released shortly after.

It was while he was “running away” that Marwan established himself in the old city of Ammaia, at that time mostly deserted, and founded the town that is now called Marvão. As you can see, this town is named after Marwan himself.

Castle of Marvão, where Ibn Marwan resisted the Emir forces Photo by João Reguengos on Unsplash

The pressure made by the Emir forced Marwan to ask for the protection of Afonso III and live in the Christian Kingdom for many years⁵. He eventually made peace with the Islamic king and returned to Badajoz. From there he rulled the Garb of Andaluz, which corresponds to the area of Roman Lusitania⁶.

The Arabs say that Ibne Maruane gave preference to Christians over Muslims⁷, but he never left Islam, he remained Muslim until his death.

Nowadays, the town of Marvão celebrates each year the Festival Al-Mossassa where the Islamic culture and heritage is celebrated, and their founder, Ibn Marwan, is remembered.

The rebellions of the Muwallads helped to weaken the Arab power, so their actions ended up contributing for the success of the Reconquest, even if it was not their intention. It is extraordinary how the lives of men who lived a thousand years ago still influence our lives today.

1. COELHO, António Borges, Portugal na Espanha Árabe, Editorial Caminho, 2008, pág. 190

2. COELHO, António Borges, Portugal na Espanha Árabe, Editorial Caminho, 2008, pág. 192

3. COELHO, António Borges, Portugal na Espanha Árabe, Editorial Caminho, 2008, pág. 192

4. ALARCÃO, Jorge de, Percursos de Ibn Maruán, Portvgalia, Nova Série, vol. 34, Porto, DCTP-FLUP, 2013, pp. 137--149

5. SIDARUS, Adel, Ammaia de Ibn Marwan: Marvão, Ibn Marwan: revista cultural do concelho de Marvão, n.1, Novembro 1991, pág. 16

6. SIDARUS, Adel, Ammaia de Ibn Marwan: Marvão, Ibn Marwan: revista cultural do concelho de Marvão, n.1, Novembro 1991, pág. 16

7. COELHO, António Borges, Portugal na Espanha Árabe, Editorial Caminho, 2008, pág. 199