Saʿdī dynasty

Moroccan dynasty

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July 13, 2026

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The Sa'adian dynasty was an Arab dynasty of sherifs that ruled Morocco between 1550 and 1688. They rose to power in reaction to Portuguese colonial intrusion and the policies of the preceding Wattasid rulers. The Sa'adians consolidated their rule in Morocco, distinct from the rest of the Maghreb, and are known for their splendid tombs in Marrakech. Their reign reached its peak under Ahmad al-Mansur, who expanded Morocco's influence and even conquered the West African state of Songhai. After al-Mansur's death, internal conflicts led to the division of the country until it was reunified by the 'Alawite dynasty.12

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western Africa
The early kingdoms and empires of the western Sudan
…provoked effective retaliation from the Saʿdī dynasty of Morocco. An expeditionary force of some 4,000 soldiers was sent across the Sahara and took the important cities of Gao, Timbuktu, and Jenne. The Moroccans had firearms, but their success against the much larger numbers of the Songhai army was also facilitated…
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…provoked effective retaliation from the Saʿdī dynasty of Morocco. An expeditionary force of some 4,000 soldiers was sent across the Sahara and took the important cities of Gao, Timbuktu, and Jenne. The Moroccans had firearms, but their success against the much larger numbers of the Songhai army was also facilitated…
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North Africa
The Maghrib from about 1500 to 1830
…Christian colonial intrusion enabled the Saʿdī dynasty of sharifs to capture power in Morocco in 1549 and paved the way for Ottoman rule to be established later in the rest of the Maghrib.
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…Christian colonial intrusion enabled the Saʿdī dynasty of sharifs to capture power in Morocco in 1549 and paved the way for Ottoman rule to be established later in the rest of the Maghrib.
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Islamic world
Trans-Saharan Islam
…Sīdī Barakāt, who legitimated the Saʿdī family of sharifs as leaders of a jihad that expelled the Portuguese and established an independent state (1511–1603) strong enough to expand far to the south. Meanwhile, the greatest Muslim kingdom of the Sudan, Songhai, was expanding northward, and its growing control of major…
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…Sīdī Barakāt, who legitimated the Saʿdī family of sharifs as leaders of a jihad that expelled the Portuguese and established an independent state (1511–1603) strong enough to expand far to the south. Meanwhile, the greatest Muslim kingdom of the Sudan, Songhai, was expanding northward, and its growing control of major…
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